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TEXT FROM THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS.
(Rouen: late 15th century). Visible leaf: 174 x 125 mm. (6 3/4 x 4 7/8"). Frame: 268 x 220 mm. (10 1/2 x 8 5/8"). Verso with single column, 20 lines in a gothic hand.
In an old wooden frame, gilt, with glass on both sides (frame with a few chips and light wear, but in very good antique condition). Three line-fillers and six one-line initials painted gold on blue, brown, or red ground, one three-line initial painted white and pink and filled with a blue flower on a gold ground, panel border with alternating triangular shapes of bare vellum filled with gold and blue acanthus, and flowers on a painted gold ground, WITH A FULL-PAGE MINIATURE OF NATHAN REBUKING KING DAVID, Nathan standing on the left dressed in gold and blue robes, David kneeling on the right before an open book, his hands together in prayer and his head raised toward the image of God in the heavens, with a detailed background depicting a walled city and several boats on the water, all inside an elaborate architectural frame with two blue columns painted with gilt fleurs-de-lys. Leaf not examined out of frame, but a number of small chips of paint gone from David's robe at the bottom, the vellum a shade less than bright, otherwise in excellent condition, the miniature extremely well preserved and the paint very fresh.
This large miniature opening the Penitential Psalms is notable for its uncommon subject matter and the extraordinarily detailed maritime scene featured prominently in the background. Traditionally, David is credited as the author of the Psalms, and these seven "Penitential Psalms" in particular are associated with atonement for his sins. As is usually the case, although David occupies opulent surroundings and is handsomely attired in garments lined with ermine, he appears here, not in a position of kingly authority, but as a supplicant. His crown lies off to one side, and he kneels before an open prayerbook, hands together and head turned sharply toward the sky, where the visage of God emerges. David is most often shown alone in his repentance--either kneeling in prayer or playing a harp—but here he is accompanied by the prophet Nathan, who admonishes the King for committing adultery with Bathsheba, and knowingly sending her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. This is a significantly unusual depiction. However, we find two similar examples of miniatures featuring Nathan and King David in Books of Hours produced in Rouen between approximately 1480-1500, one of which is held at the Getty Museum (MS 58), and one at the Morgan (MS M.220, f. 66r). These share extremely similar styles, palettes, and compositions, including an elaborate architectural frame featuring blue columns on either side. Ours, however, has the most detailed and convincing background of the three, depicting a beautiful walled city on the water, with five ships in its harbor. The scene is unusually detailed and specific, and we wonder if such a view may have had special meaning to the person who commissioned the work. (ST19639)
Price: $5,500.00