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.

This buttery vellum leaf features a hand-colored image of Saint Mark writing his gospel beside his symbol, the lion, in red, blue, green and burnished gold leaf. The Latin text adjacent to the image is from Mark 16, and translates in part as:

"At that time, Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were at table, and He upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen again. And He said to them, 'Go all of you to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.'"

The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that feature biblical scenes, plants, flowers, and mythical creatures.

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Condition: B+

Light toning and soiling.