"MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME": WONDERFUL LARGE ILLUMINATED LEAF FROM A 15TH-CENTURY FRENCH BOOK OF HOURS, FEATURING A BEAUTIFUL HAND-PAINTED MINIATURE DEPICTING JOSEPH, MARY AND JESUS' FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours. Probably Besancon, France, circa 1460. Single vellum leaf (6-1/2 by 9-1/4 inches), illuminated in gold, black, white, purple, red, green, blue, yellow, and brown inks; silk matted and window framed, entire piece measures 12 by 15 inches.

Lovely and unusually large illuminated leaf from a 15th-century French Book of Hours, featuring a striking miniature depicting the flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus into Egypt, four lines of text from the Hours of Terce, a three-line initial, and thick borders of flowers, berries, buds, and acanthus leaves.

This beautiful illuminated leaf is from a Book of Hours from the area of Besançon, France, circa 1460. It comprises a lovely and large miniature of the flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus into Egypt (spurred by an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream telling him to flee from King Herod), four lines of Gothic text from the Hours of Terce, one three-line initial in red and blue filigree on a gilt ground, one one-line initials in gold on a filigree ground, a line extender in the same style, and elaborate borders of sprigs, gilt leaves and buds, strawberries, blueberries, flowers, and acanthus leaves. The miniature is animated and charming. The figures' faces are finely detailed; the landscape is appealing, full of sloping hills, greenery, and cities in the background. The miniature is surrounded by a full gold border—a three-part arch possibly suggesting the Holy Trinity—and then by a u-shaped border of gold, red, and blue. The text is the first verse of Psalm 70: "Deus, in adiutorium meum intende," with the response "Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina" (or, as translated in the King James version, "Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord"). The verso is done more simply than the recto, but nevertheless features 15 lines of Gothic text, one two-line initial and six one-line initials in gilt on filigree grounds, three matching line extenders, and a left border of hairline sprays, gilt leaves, and berries.

This miniature—with its vibrant color and elegant composition—is in a style similar to that of the Master of Morgan 293. Stylistically, this leaf can be traced to the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. It appears closely related (if not directly attributable) to an atelier specialized in Books of Hours made for the Use of Besançon and is most likely situated in that city. The similarities are apparent in the faces with their squinting, puffy eyes, a unique feature. As noted by Avril and Reynaud, the unnamed master of this atelier was deeply indebted to the Master of Morgan 293, an acclaimed Burgundian illuminator who was active in the second quarter of the 15th century. That name—Master of Morgan—derives from a particularly lovely Book of Hours made for the Use of Besançon. There are a number of compositional similarities between this leaf and the corresponding miniature in the Morgan manuscript, including the positioning of Mary and Jesus on the donkey in the foreground, Joseph's crooked walking stick and red coat, and the medieval citadels in the background. No matter which artist is responsible for the present miniature, the painting represents a distinctive regional style, full of fine detail, and with exceptional composition.

Lower right corner of leaf repaired with vellum, just touching image; a few very tiny smudges. About-fine condition, a beautiful illuminated leaf.