ca. 1475 · Northern France
by A MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A BOOK OF HOURS, WITH A MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD BY THE WORKSHOP OF MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS
Northern France, ca. 1475. 150 x 113 mm. (5 7/8 x 4 3/8"). Single column, 16 lines (on recto) in a gothic book hand.
Line ender in blue and pink with gilt bezants, one three-line initial in colors on burnished gold ground, A HALF-PAGE ARCH-TOPPED MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD BY MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS OR HIS WORKSHOP, the text and miniature with bar border on three sides decorated with colorful foliage on burnished gold, and surrounded by a full border of acanthus leaves, dense rinceaux, colorful fruit and flowers, gold ivy leaves, and bezants. ◆Vellum a little soiled in outer and lower margins, slight paint loss in some blue border foliage, one tiny paint chip gone from the miniature, but the leaf in very pleasing condition--the finely painted and extremely charming miniature extremely well preserved and with brilliant gilt in the Virgin's nimbus and surrounding bar border as well as the initial underneath it.
This touching miniature depicting the Virgin and Child opens a prayer known as the "Joys of the Virgin," celebrating the most joyous moments in the Virgin's life. (Although sometimes the number of joys reaches as many as 15 in Medieval literature and art, the usual number is seven: The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Adoration of the Magi, The Resurrection, The Ascension, Pentecost, and The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven). Joining in the celebration of the enthroned Virgin and Child in this miniature are two golden-winged seraphs playing a lute and a flute. The child is completely absorbed by the musical entertainment, while the Virgin looks down at her son with a mix of maternal affection and pride. Although the composition and detail work are impressive seen through the naked eye alone, close inspection under a magnifying glass reveals just how carefully the wings, garments, and faces have been painted; impossibly small strokes create subtle textures and shadows that add a sense of depth and richness to the composition. The highlighting in the angels' wings, for example, is remarkably delicate. This miniature was likely executed in the workshop of the so-called Maître François, who ran a highly successful Parisian atelier during the years between 1460 and 1480, producing illuminated manuscripts small and large, sacred and secular. Characteristic of the Master's style are richly colored scenes, interiors depicted with considerable detail, women and children with pale, porcelain complexions, and male figures with darker, weathered flesh tones. The level of artistry in this miniature is very fine, and it is certainly possible that the Master himself--or at least one of his most talented followers--had a hand in its creation.. (Inventory #: ST19653-197)
Line ender in blue and pink with gilt bezants, one three-line initial in colors on burnished gold ground, A HALF-PAGE ARCH-TOPPED MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD BY MAÎTRE FRANÇOIS OR HIS WORKSHOP, the text and miniature with bar border on three sides decorated with colorful foliage on burnished gold, and surrounded by a full border of acanthus leaves, dense rinceaux, colorful fruit and flowers, gold ivy leaves, and bezants. ◆Vellum a little soiled in outer and lower margins, slight paint loss in some blue border foliage, one tiny paint chip gone from the miniature, but the leaf in very pleasing condition--the finely painted and extremely charming miniature extremely well preserved and with brilliant gilt in the Virgin's nimbus and surrounding bar border as well as the initial underneath it.
This touching miniature depicting the Virgin and Child opens a prayer known as the "Joys of the Virgin," celebrating the most joyous moments in the Virgin's life. (Although sometimes the number of joys reaches as many as 15 in Medieval literature and art, the usual number is seven: The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Adoration of the Magi, The Resurrection, The Ascension, Pentecost, and The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven). Joining in the celebration of the enthroned Virgin and Child in this miniature are two golden-winged seraphs playing a lute and a flute. The child is completely absorbed by the musical entertainment, while the Virgin looks down at her son with a mix of maternal affection and pride. Although the composition and detail work are impressive seen through the naked eye alone, close inspection under a magnifying glass reveals just how carefully the wings, garments, and faces have been painted; impossibly small strokes create subtle textures and shadows that add a sense of depth and richness to the composition. The highlighting in the angels' wings, for example, is remarkably delicate. This miniature was likely executed in the workshop of the so-called Maître François, who ran a highly successful Parisian atelier during the years between 1460 and 1480, producing illuminated manuscripts small and large, sacred and secular. Characteristic of the Master's style are richly colored scenes, interiors depicted with considerable detail, women and children with pale, porcelain complexions, and male figures with darker, weathered flesh tones. The level of artistry in this miniature is very fine, and it is certainly possible that the Master himself--or at least one of his most talented followers--had a hand in its creation.. (Inventory #: ST19653-197)