Beautiful Medieval BoH Leaf, c. 1490-1500 - The Pentecost

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Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 19 lines of red-ruled Latin text on animal vellum; line endings in red & blue, with burnished gold.

One four-line and two two-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and pink with delicate white penwork and having an interior floral design resting on a liquid gold ground; four one-line illuminated initials and two illuminated line extenders in liquid gold on alternating blue and red grounds.(172 x 125 mm - 6.9 x 5").

Elaborate panel border (recto) in acanthus & diverse floral motifs (including a strawberry - symbol of perfect righteousness, and a columbine - symbol of the Holy Spirit) in red, blue, green, white & liquid gold.

France (Tours), c. 1490-1500.

The leaf contains an exceptional miniature painting in the style of Jean Poyet, set within two architectural columns on which is written the beginning of the prayer ''Veni Sancte Spiritus reple tuorum corda'' (Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts).

The miniature is a beautiful painting of the Pentecost with Mary kneeling before a gilt-edged open book resting on a prie-dieu covered in a red cloth and the Apostles standing behind her - all with hands clasped in prayer. A dove representing the Holy Spirit, descends through an open window and radiates the flames of inspiration, mixed with droplets of red representing Christ’s blood.

The inscription on the red and green canopy above Mary reads: ''Veni Sancte Spiritus'' (Come Holy Spirit). The text begins ''Domine...'' (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips. And my mouth shall declare thy praise...).

Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-10682
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