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’’)
Seven 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 forms.
The two-line illuminated “S” begins Psalm 128 (King James 129) complete: “Sepe...” (Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 129 (KJ 130) complete: “De profundis…” (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication…).
The next two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 130 (KJ 131) complete: “Domine…” (Lord my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty…).
The two-line illuminated “M” begins the hymn: “Memento Salutis Auctor…” (Remember, O Creator Lord, that in the Virgin's sacred womb Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh didst our mortality assume...).
The two-line illuminated “N” begins the Canticle of Simeon – Luke 2:29-32: “Nunc…” (Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy work in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
