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’’)
Two illuminated two-line initials and numerous illuminated one-line initials in gold alternating on a red-orange or deep blue ground.
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, including vidions of the Apocalypse..
The one-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 148: 8-14: “Ignis…” (Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfil his word…).
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 150 complete: “Laudate…” (Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power. Praise ye him for his mighty acts; praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness…).
The two-line illuminated “B” begins the Canticle of Zachary – Luke 1: 68-78: “Benedictus …” (Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people: And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat