Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 12 lines, ruled in red and written in Latin with dark brown ink on animal vellum.(170 x 118 mm).
One three-line initial illuminated in pink with an internal floral design in pink, blue, green orange and white on a burnished gold ground; one two-line and four one-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue and red ground. Panel border decoration of rinceaux with a floral motif in red, green, blue and burnished gold.
France (Amiens?), c. 1420.
MINIATURE PAINTING OF THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE: Mary hands the Christ Child to Simeon, the High Priest. Behind her stands a female handmaiden carrying an offering basket of turtle doves. This story is described in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary & Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem (as tradition dictated). Once there, they encountered Simeon the Righteous who prophesized that the infant would redeem the world.
An exceptionally fine example of early International Gothic style - the figures and faces are very well rendered and the use of diagonal placement of the altar and the barrel-vaulted spaces lend perspective and motion to the scene.
This impressive painting opens the Hours of the Virgin, Hour of None. The large illuminated ''D'' begins: ''Deus...'' (Incline unto my aid O God...).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
