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.
The one-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 62 (King James 63) 10-12-: “Ipsi…” (But they have sought my soul in vain).
The two-line illuminated “E” begins the Canticle of Ezechias – Isaiah 38: 10-20: “Ego dixi…” (I said: In the midst of my days I shall go to the gates of hell…O Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord).
The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 148: 1-7: “Laudate…” (Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars and light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
