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IM-9880: (220x140mm) Original leaf from a printed & beautifully hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled Latin text, printed in red & black on animal vellum. Initials, paragraph markers & endings illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue &/or magenta. The paneled surrounds are historiated or inhabited. Printed by Gilles Hardouyn & hand-painted with rich sumptuous colors in the workshop of Germain Hardouyn - brother of the printer & a highly skilled illuminator. (Reference: Bohatta #913; Lancomb #204).  

Paris, c. 1512.

The FULL PAGE miniature painting depicts, in very dramatic fashion, THE FLAGELLATION OF CHRIST.  The illuminated "A" begins the hymn:  "Ave Stella matutina..." (Hail, morning star, remedy of sinners, ruler and queen of the world, alone worthy to be called a virgin, against the spears of the enemy interpose the shield of salvation, the sign of thy virtue. For you are the rod of Jesse, In whom God was made. Aaron's almond, lifting-up/bearing the stumbling-block of the world. You are the rained upon court, imbued by heaven's dew, yet dry as fleece. You soothe us favorably in this prison, with the plentiful grace of God. O chosen Spouse of God Be a straight road for us To eternal joy Where peace and glory dwell. May you hear us always with devoted ear, sweet Mary). 

Provenance:  Kennedy Galleries, NY; purchased 1970 - illustrated in Art in Prints, number 18, item 4.