BEAUTIFUL LARGE ILLUMINATED MINIATURE FROM A 15TH-CENTURY BOOK OF HOURS DEPICTING CHRIST BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Miniature featuring Christ before Pontius Pilate. Bruges, circa 1470. One vellum leaf, measuring 6 by 9 inches; silk matted and window framed, entre piece measures 12 by 15 inches. $13,500.

A beautiful and large miniature from a 15th-century Book of Hours that features an image of Christ before Pontius Pilate, handsomely framed.

The recto of this leaf features 18 lines in a gothic script with a 6-line initial "D" at the top on a gold background with a wonderfully detailed image of Christ before Pontius Pilate. Christ, escorted by two soldiers (with other indicated in the background), stands with his hands tied before a blue-robed seated Pilate holding a scepter. The entire page is set on three sides with a large and elaborate border with blue and gold acanthus leaves, green leaves, sprays of golden bezants, flowers and strawberries.

This leaf is almost certainly a product of the workshop of William Vrelant, the leading purveyor of books of private devotion in Bruges during the third quarter of the 15th century. His prominent position among Flemish illuminators of the time is indicated by the considerable number of manuscripts illustrated in his manner by other miniaturists both in Bruges and in nearby cities in Flanders. The present leaf, being quite large for a Book of Hours and deploying generous amounts of both blue and gold in the design, must have been commissioned by a patron of means. The initial here, quite large and very handsomely rendered, depicts a scene from the "Passion Cycle" of images, which, according to Roger Wieck, enjoyed a particular vogue in 15th-century Dutch, Flemish and English Books of Hours, including those that were exported to England. The verso of this leaf contains 18 lines of script with one two-line and seven one-line illuminated initials.

Fine condition, beautifully framed.