This leaf is from the brief transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. The earliest printers were trained in the manuscript tradition and incorporated the conventions of historiated initials and illustrations into their early work. At first they left those spaces blank for the illuminator to complete entirely by hand. Later they developed printing methods (using woodcuts or iron engravings) to decorate the leaves.

A wonderful leaf from a Book of Hours printed on vellum. The recto is highlighted by illuminated capitals painted in red, blue and liquid gold, while the verso has two excellent, gold-highlighted miniature paintings of Jesus on the Cross in the arms of God the Father, and the Resurrection. Created by Gilles Hardouin for Germain Hardouyn librayre demourant entre les deux portes du Palays en l’enseigne Saincte Marguerite (bookseller living between the two gates of the Palace at the sign of Saint Marguerite) of Paris. This leaf is from the transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting.

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Condition: A+