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IM-11332: (150 x 90 mm) Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of red-ruled Latin text, written in brown ink, with rubrics in red, on animal vellum.

One three-line illuminated initial in blue with delicate gold penwork on a red ground with gold floral interior and surrounds; two two-line illuminated initials in blue, red and white with floral interiors on burnished gold ground; two one-line illuminated initials in blue with delicate red penwork.

Northern France: c. 1470.

The miniature is an exceptionally beautiful painting of the Flight into Egypt with Mary holding the Christ Child in a close embrace while sitting on a donkey as they journey down a road. Joseph walks ahead of them with a white bundle on a gold staff across his shoulder. He glances back over his shoulder at the Massacre of the Innocents, seen in the right of the miniature. In the back left can be seen the Miracle of the Cornfield (after the Holy Family encountered a farmer sowing wheat, the grain sprouted miraculously. When soldiers asked if he had seen the Holy Family he responded truthfully that they passed when he was sowing grain and soldiers assumed it must have been months earlier).

The ELABORATE border surrounding the miniature painting contains two scenes of the Massacre of the Innocents as well as birds, flowers, strawberries (symbol of perfect righteousness) in blue, red, liquid gold, yellow and green. Lavish use of gold is evident, particularly in the shading of the clothed figures.

The Text beneath the painting opens The Hours of the Virgin – Hours of Vespers: “ Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God…).