The capture of the Venetian banners by the armies of Louis XII, from Raoul Bollart, De victoria et triumpho Francorum regis Ludovici huiusce nominis duodecimi and Otium litterarium: Regni pauperis legatio ad unumquenque divitem, in Latin verse [France (Paris), c.1509]

single leaf, 215x155mm, vellum, with a miniature by Jean Pichore or workshop, 23 lines, 161x90mm, side-notes in a humanist hand, 18th-century folio number ‘9’, slight staining along upper edge

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."

This miniature comes from a ‘sister’ manuscript to that in the library of Geneva, lat.97 (on which see H. Aubert, Notices sur les Manuscrits Petau, 1911, pp.49-50, and L’Enluminure de Charlemagne à François Ier, exh.cat., 1976, no.65; the entire manuscript has been digitized on the Swiss e-codices website; cf. Geneva manuscript, f.8v).

The Geneva manuscript contains the same two texts in the same order, illuminated in the same style with the same images at the same points. The Geneva volume is somewhat larger, however, at 255x175mm, and has 25 lines per page instead of the present leaves’ 23, which means that the two copies are not page-for-page twins. The Geneva manuscript was previously thought to be unique: the present leaves are the only evidence that a second copy existed; presumably one copy was made for the author and another was a presentation copy for the King. The Geneva manuscript has neither dedication nor royal arms. The execution of the present leaves is superior to the style of the Geneva copy; they may well be from the presentation copy.

The author, Raoul Bollart, lord of Champceuil, south of Paris, composed his panegyric to King Louis XII shortly after the Battle of Agnadello in 1509.

From the same manuscript as the following two lots.