Original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible. Latin gothic minuscule script, hand-written in brown ink, on animal vellum. (153 x 108mm – 6 x 4’’)
Three multi-line illuminated initials in red extending past the length of the text in blue and red penwork. 50 lines of text in double columns (11 lines per inch!).
One four-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate white penwork, burnished gold and red on a pink ground and extending along the text with a whimsical dragon-like creature resting on the initial “I - all on a deep blue ground. One multi-line historiated initial “P” containing an intricate miniature painting of St. Paul holding his attribute the sword extending down the margin with another whimsical dragon-like creature looking upward at St. Paul.
Produced in France (Paris) circa 1240-55.
Related to the Dominican Painter & Associates workshop (reference Branner).
The text concludes I Timothy 4:8 – 6:21: “Nam corporalis…” (For bodily exercise is profitable to little: gut godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come…).
The four-line illuminated “I” begins the Prologue to II Timothy: “Item Timotheo…” (Likewise he writes to Timothy concerning the exhortation of martyrdom and all aspects of the rule of truth, and what will be in the last times, and concerning his own passion).
The historiated “P” begins II Timothy 1:1 – 2:20: “Paulus…” (Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God…A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him he will also deny us. If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
