Item Details

AN ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF WITH MINIATURE OF CHRIST BEFORE CAIAPHAS, FROM A BOOK OF HOURS IN LATIN.

(1450). 178 x 127 mm (7 x 5"). Single column, five lines of text on recto, 15 on verso in an excellent gothic book hand.

Attractively matted. Verso with five one-line initials in burnished gold and colors, three line fillers in colors and gold, one two-line initial "A" in burnished gold on a blue and maroon background with delicate white tracery, the same side with a swirling quarter panel border featuring acanthus leaves in blue and gold and many burnished gold ivy leaves on hairline stems; recto with a large five-line "D" in maroon and white with enclosed scrolling flowered stems, the whole on a burnished gold ground and within a baguette; the same side WITH AN ANIMATED FULL BORDER featuring blue and gold acanthus leaves, twining vines with leaves, fruits, and flowers, a rooster preening before a flock of hens in the lower border, a large stork in the fore border, and a small hunched-over figure (of a hermit?) in the lower right corner reading a book within an elaborate architectural structure, THE BORDER ENCLOSING AN ARCH-TOPPED MINIATURE OF CHRIST BEFORE CAIAPHAS. Verso with remnants of mounting tape, a bit of wrinkling at the edges, the vellum a little yellowed, otherwise a very fine leaf with wide margins and with paint and gold that are entirely intact.

Dressed in gray highlighted in gold, Christ with his thin body, elongated face, and narrow eyes is a solemn and dignified figure here. He is flanked by two guards whose quiet clothing contrasts with the scarlet robe of Caiaphas the high priest, who sits on a throne draped in royal blue and wears what seems to us a rather ridiculous hat, which is pulled down to obscure his eyes. His chin is decorated by a small but rather demonic red beard. The artist has used a green tiled floor to create recession in space, and has hung a red tapestry ornamented with gold circles and florals in the background in a manner reminiscent of the well-known "Gold Scrolls" artists. The scene is very effectively composed, and the inquiring eyes of the guards looking toward Caiaphas lend it drama. The artist responsible for the border was quite skilled and even adventuresome, as seen in the carefully realized birds, whose feet and feathers protrude beyond the limits of the floral frame. (ST11526a)