Europe, France, late Renaissance, ca. 1570s CE. A fine, two-sided illuminated page on vellum from a French late Renaissance Book of Hours, that dates to the period following the reforms of Pope Pius V (post - 1568 CE). The style of lettering imitates the painted variety. The text is embellished with headings and paragraph marks painted in rich, colorful pigments and gold. Text is framed with a gold border. The Book of Hours developed in the late medieval era and was essentially a prayer book created for individual patrons and illuminated with beautifully painted details and scenes depicting the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. The text of a Book of Hours usually included a calendar that delineated all the liturgical feast days as well as a series of prayers intended to be recited eight times per day. By the time of the early Renaissance, the Book of Hours was quite popular, indicating that the laity were growing more interested in communing directly with God and the saints rather than relying on the church and clergy to communicate with a higher power. Size: 3.5" W x 5.5" H (8.9 cm x 14 cm); matted 14" x 11" (35.6 x 28 cm)

Provenance: Ex- Estate of M. Reiniger, Chicago, IL

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#111510

Excellent condition.