Medieval Manuscript with Illumination

An exquisitely preserved leaf from a Book of Hours, belonging to the reign of King Philip Augustus (late 12th – 13th cent.). It is executed in red and blue tempera, gold, and liquid gold on vellum. It contains Psalm 108, which starts with an intricately illuminated initial “D” (for Deus). The leaf comprises twenty-one lines of text in the finest angular Gothic script, with pen work ornamentation highlighted by gold leaf. Red ink, blue ink, and gold leaf are used as beautiful line fillers. Although the original patron cannot be identified, the high quality and extensive use of the gold leaf in this piece suggests that it belonged to a member of the court. It was probably produced in North-eastern France, perhaps in the region around Noyons, Soissons, and Lyon, or at least strongly influenced by the court productions of this area.