Description:
Dutch, 1400s (75 x 50 mm) Small illumination of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Borders trimmed historically. Blank on verso.This small illumination was the bespoke part of a Book of Hours. As the production of books became more mechanised for "popular" consumption throughout the later Middle Ages, often the text portion of Books of Hours would be written on-spec to reflect the appropriate set of prayers for a region or church's mandate. For example, we have the Use of Rome, Use of Sarum (Salisbury), Use of Paris, to name a few well-known ones. The text books would be bought by the rising middle class and, if they could afford it, illuminations would be later tipped in to reflect their interests. These illuminations ranged from patron portraits to biblical scenes established for certain canonical hours. Since the illustrations were later additions to the existing text, they would be blank on one side.
This illustration, blank on one side, shows Jesus after the Resurrection (see the stigmata on his feet and… Read More
