The Resurrection of Christ, large historiated initial on a leaf from a vast illuminated manuscript Missal, in Latin, on vellum [France (probably Paris), c.1500-10]

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Vellum

single leaf, 619mm. by 464mm., with a large initial 'C' (opening "Confitemini domino quoniam bonus ...", the second nocturn of Easter), 142mm. by 142mm., in pale pink scrolls of leaves wrapped around a central bar, on burnished gold grounds, with a large border panel on one side of the text formed of brightly coloured sprays of foliage, some with gold leaves and buds, one 2-line calligraphic initial on green and red grounds, one-line initials in blue or red with contrasting penwork, rubrics in red, capitals touched in green, 18 lines of text in black ink with a single line of music on 4-line red stave at top, "105" on recto, slight scuffing to gold and some areas of ink, else excellent condition, mounted on card

Provenance

provenance

Phillip C. Duschnes, New York; bought from him in 1959.

Catalogue Note

illumination

The figure of Christ, stepping daintily from his tomb, wrapped in a deep carmine red robe, with his small dispassionate mouth, is redolent of the style of the Master of Philippe de Gueldres (fl. c.1500-10; cf. Les Enluminures, France 1500, 2010, no.30). The placing of the tomb in the centre of the scene points towards Italian models, and can also be found in this artist's oeuvre. Christ's musculature and the ends of his bony ribcage are sensitively handled and well accomplished.

A cutting with a miniature of St. Victor, identified as the work of the Master of Philippe de Gueldres, from a Missal made for the royal abbey of St-Victor in Paris, was sold in our rooms, 23 June 1992, lot 25.