The Gospel Lectionary of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum

128 leaves, 370 mm. by 262 mm., complete, collation: i-xvi^{8, with horizontal catchwords in decorative cartouches, double column, 21 lines, ruled in purple ink, written-space 227 mm. by 158 mm., written in dark brown ink in a large and handsome rounded gothic liturgical hand, rubrics in red, capitals infilled with decorative penwork and touched in yellow,} illuminated initials throughout, 3 lines high, in leafy designs in colours heightened with white and yellow on panels either of burnished gold or of colours heightened in liquid gold, twenty-seven large miniatures, column with, full borders including flowers and acanthus leaves and animals and birds and devices in colours and gold, some textual corrections and marking of syllabic stress, slight wear, a few pages a bit rubbed and battered, some slight cockling and negligible stains, generally in fine state, contemporary Spanish binding of reddish-brown goatskin over slightly bevelled wooden boards sewn on 5 double thongs, the covers decorated differently but both with double frames of multiple blind lines, panels decorated with multiple impressions of a large square mudéjar tool and smaller ropework tools, vellum pastedowns, holes from metal fittings and clasps now removed, binding a bit battered but intact, lower joints broken but holding 

provenance

(1) Written and illuminated for the royal monastery of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, founded in 1340 to house a miraculous image of the Virgin discovered by a local shepherd.  In 1389 the monastery was given to the Hieronymite Order by John I of Castile, and became the principal house of that order in Spain.  Henry IV of Castile was buried there in 1474.  It was here too that Columbus made his first public thanksgiving for the discovery of America in 1492.

The present manuscript is the companion volume of Harvard, Houghton Library, MS Typ 199H, which is written by the same scribe and painted by the same illuminator.  The Harvard volume comprises the Epistle Lectionary.  It is signed on its fol. 126r, "Fuit perfectum opus per iohannem de logrosan, vi^a dies octobris, Anno domini M^o.d.vi^o", written by Johan de Logrosan, a town about 12 miles from Guadalupe, and the whole project (i.e., both volumes) was finished on 6 October 1506.  The volumes have identical bindings.  The present manuscript has a shelfmark, probably seventeenth-century, "Lit. A, sina ultimo num^o 2"; the Harvard volume has the same inscription but ending "num^o 1".  The volumes doubtless remained in the monastery until the dissolution of the Spanish monasteries in 1835.

(2) The volumes were still together when the small nineteenth-century brown stamped monogram was added on the first page of both volumes; and both volumes belonged to Eugen Gutman, of Berlin (cf. E. Gutman and O. von Falke, Die Kunstsammlung Eugen Gutman, Berlin, 1912, p. 2, no. 3).

(3) The Harvard volume was bought by Philip Hofer in 1954 from La Veille Russe, New York, and the present volume was bought by Mrs M. A. Holmes.

(4) Sale in these rooms, 10 July 1967, lot 74, to Dawson's, for a private collector; and by descent to the present owner.

literature

Illuminated & Calligraphic Manuscripts, An Exhibition held at the Fogg Art Museum & Houghton Library, February 14 – April 1, 1955, 1955, p. 32, as owned by Mrs Holmes.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

text

These are the Gospel readings for use at Mass, with the Temporal from the first Sunday in Advent (fol. 1r) to the 24th Sunday after Pentecost; the Sanctoral from Saint Andrew (fol. 90r) to All Saints, and the Dedication of a Church; and the Common (fol. 108v) and the Office of the Dead (fol. 124v) and other Masses.

illumination

Between 1501 and 1504, the monastery of Guadalupe sold its old service books and commissioned a new set, "profusely illustrated, rich in colour and possessing an extraordinary variety of ornamental motifs, amongst which the wealth of interlacing ornament makes evident the Mudéjar influence" (J. D. Bordona, Spanish Illumination, II, 1930, pp. 60-61; cf. also C. G. Villacampa, Grandezas de Guadalupe, 1924, and R. S. Wieck, Late Medieval and Renaissance Illuminated Manuscripts, 1350-1525, in the Houghton Library, 1983, pp. 102-3, no. 50).  The artistic director was Fra Alonso de Carceres.  The present manuscript is filled with emblems of the monastery, including a crowned 'M' or the monogram SM ('Santa Maria'), lilies of the Annunciation, a lion beneath a cardinal's hat, for Jerome, and pictures of Hieronymite monks celebrating Corpus Christi (fol. 62v) and Saint Jerome himself instructing them (fol. 95v).

The subjects of the miniatures are:

1, Folio 1r, Christ pointing to the sun and moon and stars, 85 mm. by 71 mm., Christ with a banderole "Erunt signa in sole et luna et st[ellis]" (Luke 21:25), his disciples kneeling before him, set in a landscape within an architectural gateway; full border, 296 mm. by 217 mm., including the arms of the Hieronymites held by leafy mermen, and a crowned 'M', a snail, a ladybird, a butterfly and a peacock, and pinks, thistles, violets, carnations and roses.

2, Folio 5r, The Birth of Christ, 78 mm. by 74 mm., the Child lying on a cloth in a classical ruin, the Virgin and Joseph kneeling with three angels between them holding a banderole "Gloria in e[x]ce[lsis]", the shepherds in their field behind, within an architectural gateway; full border, 297 mm. by 219 mm., including the arms of the Hieronymites held by leafy mermen, and a crowned 'M', a snail, a butterfly and a peacock, and pinks, thistles, a strawberry, roses, etc.

3, Folio 6r, The Adoration of the shepherds, 67 mm. by 73 mm., the Child in a manger, the Virgin kneeling with Joseph beside her, one shepherd bringing a lamb, another a set of bagpipes and a third a rosary, set in a classical ruin with a landscape behind, within an architectural gateway; full border, 302 mm. by 222 mm., a scroll winding up the central column "Gloria tibi domine qui natus es de virgine cum patre sancto spiritu in senpit[er]na", the border including a crowned monogram 'M' with 'S. H.' [Maria and Sanctus Hieronymus], a bird, a vase of carnations, etc.

4, Folio 7r, the Stoning of Saint Stephen, 78 mm. by 73 mm., the saint kneeling in prayer, three men picking up and throwing stones, a turbaned ruler on the right with two advisors, set in a landscape within an architectural gateway; full border, 300 mm. by 219 mm., including flowers, a peacock and two butterflies.

5, Folio 7v, Saint John on Patmos, 87 mm. by 74 mm., the evangelist seated on a rock with a pen and a banderole "In principio erat verb[um] et v[erbum er]at", an eagle with a pencase in its beak, set in a landscape, the Virgin and Child appearing in the sky, all within an architectural gateway; full border, 301 mm. by 220 mm., including an eagle holding a silver shield with the Wounds of Christ, flowers, a grotesque and an owl.

6, Folio 8r, The Massacre of the Innocents, 84 mm. by 74 mm., two soldiers in armour slashing at babies with swords and a spear, protesting mothers on either side, an official of King Herod outside a castle on the right, set within an architectural gateway; full border, 306 mm. by 228 mm., including flowers and two eagles.

7, Folio 10v, The Adoration of the Magi, 90 mm. by 77 mm., the Virgin and Child with Joseph on the left, one king kneeling, two standing, set in a landscape, a star in the sky, within an architectural gateway; full border, 305 mm. by 225 mm., including a camaieu d'or bas-de-page of the kings approaching the Virgin and Child, with flowers and a grotesque.

8, Folio 53r, The Entry into Jerusalem, 92 mm. by 79 mm., Christ on a donkey led forward by his apostles towards a gothic tower on the left, a man laying down a cloak before the donkey's feet, young men up a tree pulling down branches; full border on fol. 53v, 300 mm. by  229 mm., including four grotesques.

9, Folio 54v, The Last Supper, 70 mm. by 75 mm., Saint John sleeping in  front of Christ; full border, 306 mm. by 221 mm., including three dragons.

10, Folio 56r, The Resurrection, 69 mm. by 78 mm., Christ stepping from the tomb holding a banner as three soldiers lie asleep; full border, 303 mm. by 225 mm., including two snails, a dragon and a butterfly.

11, Folio 56v, Supper on the Road to Emmaus, 66 mm. by 76 mm., Christ breaking bread and blessing it, seated at table with two disciples dressed as pilgrims; full border, 298 mm. by 224 mm., including two snails and a seated lion.

12, Folio 58r, Noli me Tangere, 90 mm. by 79 mm., Mary Magdalene with an ointment jar kneeling before the resurrected Christ in an enclosed flower garden; full border on fol. 58v, 308 mm. by 224 mm., including two butterflies and three dragons.

13, Folio 66v, The Ascension, 82 mm. by 75 mm., the Virgin and the apostles gathered around a hill, Christ's feet disappearing into the sky; full border, 301 mm. by 223 mm., including a snail, a butterfly and a bird.

14, Folio 68v, Pentecost, 77 mm. by 74 mm., the Virgin in the centre, the apostles on either side, the Holy Dove above; full border, 303 mm. by 218 mm., including two apes and the crowned monogram 'MA'.

15, Folio 61v, The Trinity, 82 mm. by 79 mm., the Father and Son seated side by side, wrapped in the same robe, the Holy Dove above; full border, 310 mm. by 227 mm., including a grotesque.

16, Folio 62v, The Mass of Corpus Christi, 92 mm. by 77 mm., Hieronymite monks kneeling in prayer in a church as four priests hold a canopy over a monstrance on the altar; full border, 300 mm. by 224 mm., including a butterfly, a bird and a grotesque.

17, Folio 91r. The Calling of Saint Andrew, 76 mm. by 75 mm., Christ on the shore of a lake raising his hand to two fishermen in a boat; full border, 300 mm. by 218 mm., including an ape, a putto, and a vase of lilies.

18, Folio 92v, The Presentation in the Temple, 76 mm. by 75 mm., the Virgin and Joseph presenting the Child on an altar, crowds gathered round including a man with a candle and a woman with a basket of doves; full border, 303 mm. by 221 mm., including four birds, two snails, and two green dragons.

19, Folio 93v, Saints Philip and James, 76 mm. by 77 mm., the saints standing together before a bench, one with cross and book, the other with a club, a glimpse of a mountainous landscape behind; full border, 308 mm. by 223 mm., including four dragons.

20, Folio 95v, Saint Jerome, 77 mm. by 75 mm., Jerome seated at a reading-desk, holding his lion's paw, and preaching to a group of Hieronymite monks, set in a classical interior; full border, 313 mm. by 213 mm., including three birds and a shield with a lion beneath a cardinal's hat.

21, Folio 97r, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, 77 mm. by 75 mm., Saint Elizabeth lying in a canopied bed, a fire in a brazier beside her, two midwives with the baby; full border, 303 mm. by 220 mm., including a ladybird, a snail, a butterfly, and an owl.

22, Folio 98v, Saints Peter and Paul, 95 mm. by 77 mm., the saints seated together on a bench, one with a book and  keys, the other with a sword; full border, 305 mm. by 229  mm., including  a bird, a deer and two grotesques.

23, Folio 99r, The Visitation, 86 mm. by 76 mm., the Virgin and Saint Elizabeth, each with attendants, greeting each other; full border, 297 mm. by 224 mm., including a rabbit, a grotesque and two peacocks.

24, Folio 101v, The Calling of Saint James, 90 mm. by 75 mm., Christ walking on the shore of a lake speaking to three men in a boat; full border, 307 mm. by 230 mm.

25, Folio 103v, The Assumption of the Virgin, 92 mm. by 75 mm., the Virgin attended by four angels rising up from an empty sarcophagus to God above, watched by the apostles on either side; full border, 308 mm. by 227 mm., including four owls.

26, Folio 104v, The Nativity of the Virgin, 95 mm. by 75 mm., Saint Anne in bed, Joachim seated beside her, two midwives washing the baby; full border, 302 mm. by 222 mm., including a Jesse tree, with Jesse asleep and 12 kings in the branches and the Ara Coeli; facing page, fol. 105r, with full border, 300 mm. by 225 mm., including three putti.

27, Folio 115r, Many martyrs, 75 mm. by 77 mm., a king directing the beheading of a group of three kneeling men; full border, 292 mm. by 223 mm., including two eagles (one pecking at a dead rabbit) and a wildman leading a camel towards arms in a cartouche, with a lion beneath a cardinal's hat.