Apollonia, Barbara & Margaret - c 1518 Book of Hours Leaf

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Original leaf from a printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours.  Twenty-eight lines of ruled Latin text, printed in black on animal vellum.(178 x 115mm – 7 x 4 ½’’) 

Three illuminated two-line initials & three illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.  Three nine-line miniature paintings of Saints Margaret, Barbara and Apollonia.

Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator.  Paris (Use of Rome), c. 1518.

Noted for its DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds are historiated (containing identifiable scenes or figures) or inhabited forms.

This leaf is from the section of Suffrages - prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers and guardians of medieval people.  

The miniature painting of St.  Margaret (patron saint of nurses) depicts her issuing from a green dragon within a gray prison; holding gold cross in clasped hands.  Text reads: Virgo…” (Glorious virgin of Christ, Margaret, most precious jewel of virgins, by the shining virtue of those above, hear our prayers…).

The miniature painting of St. Barbara (patron saint of architects) depicts her with a gold palm in right hand and tower in left. Text reads: “Gaude…” Rejoice, blessed Barbara, greatly powerful in doctrine by the mystery of the angel…).

The miniature painting of St. Apollonia (patron saint of dentists) depicts her standing with empty pincers upright in her right hand, and the left hand supporting an open book.  Text reads: “Beata apolonia…” (Blessed Apollonia who gladly endured the torture…). 

Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-11479
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