The Nativity of Christ, miniature on a leaf and a text leaf from Books of Hours, in Latin [southern Netherlands (Bruges), c.1440-50 and north-western France, c.1440-50]

two leaves, vellum, (a) 167x122mm, with a miniature for Prime in the Hours of the Virgin, 15 lines, 95x60mm, verso with two illuminated initials with gold ivy leaf sprays extending into margin, extremities of some border decoration very slightly cropped in a few places, an egg-white(?) glaze over the Virgin’s blue mantle flaking, but the pigment itself apparently unaffected; (b) 183x140mm, 15 lines, 102x73mm, with the end of the Hours of the Holy Spirit, from an unusually lavish Book of Hours, apparently with rubrics in gold throughout, and full borders on every written page, blank verso

The artist of this miniature belongs to the MASTERS OF THE GOLD SCROLLS, a group of south Netherlandish illuminators active in the first half of the 15th century, who were named after their habit of filling coloured backgrounds with golden foliate ornament (see Miniatures flamandes 1404-1482, 2011, pp.140-7). This fashionable style can be found in many Books of Hours but varies greatly in quality. The Nativity here is a fine example and the oval faces with thin long noses, small mouths, high sitting eyebrows and yellow strands of hair that are finely modelled with minute brush strokes, are representative of the best achievements of the group. The Nativity is the standard scene for Prime but the midwife apparently supporting the Virgin from behind, Joseph leaning his elbows on the canopied bed, and the dark night sky (emphasising that the infant is the only source of light) are not commonly found.