Subject: Early Printing
Period: 1500 (circa)
Publication: Book of Hours
Color:
Size:
4.2 x 6.5 inches
10.7 x 16.5 cm
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.
The scenes on this leaf illustrate the story of Joseph and his brothers. includes one hand-painted initial in red and gold leaf. At the bottom of the page three children are fleeing from a double-headed dragon. The text is from the gospel of St. John 18: 1-23 .
References:
Condition: B
Soiling, heavier on edges.