TEXT FROM "OBSECRO TE."

A MEDIEVAL VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A BOOK OF HOURS IN LATIN AND FRENCH, WITH A MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD.

(Paris: ca. 1500). 165 x 115 mm. (6 1/2 x 4 1/2"). Single column, verso with 18 lines, in a gothic book hand.

Rubrics in red, one three-line initial in blue filled with foliage on burnished gold ground, verso with panel border of colorful flowers, a vase, and acanthus, recto with A MINIATURE OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD flanked by two angels, framed by gold and painted bars on three sides and A FULL BORDER of acanthus, flowers, a vase, and gold bezants. Minor soiling to vellum, but in excellent condition, the miniature especially well preserved.

This especially intimate and tender scene shows the so-called Virgo Lactans (or Nursing Madonna), the Virgin suckling the infant Christ; it accompanies the text for "Obsecro te," a popular Marian prayer appealing to the Virgin for protection and intercession. The prayer is not always accompanied by a miniature, and the present illustration, being rather large and skillfully done, is a particularly appealing example. The Virgin's facial features are especially excellent, with beautiful molding and shading that give her visage deep complexity and emotional resonance. The use of gold in this miniature adds to its richness; delicately highlighted garments, tresses, and angel wings catch the light and seem to shimmer as one moves the page. The high-quality illumination, liberal use of gold, and robust borders all suggest that the original manuscript must have been the product of an accomplished workshop. (ST20810M)

Price: $3,250.00