Object Description
An exquisitely preserved illuminated vellum leaf from a Medieval Book of Hours belonging to the reign of King Philip II, the first of the great Capetian kings of France. The leaf contains 21 lines, ruled in brown, of written text in Latin. The text is a fine example of the popular Medieval script, used extensively for French and Italian vernacular books, known as lettre bâtarde. The leaf is executed in red and blue tempera, gold and liquid gold on vellum on both sides. The recto opens with the ending of Psalm 41, Quare Tristis Es Anima Mea, and closes with a beautifully adorned and highly illuminated initial D, marking the beginning of Psalm 43, Deus Auribus Nostris Audivimus. Further decoration includes a hybrid head to the recto’s low right corner. Although the original patron cannot be identified, the high quality and extensive use of gold leaf in this piece suggest that it likely belonged to a member of the court.
Date: Circa 1180 – 1223 AD.
Period: North-East France, period of King Philip II.