ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF HOURS LEAF, c. 1475, RAISING OF LAZARUS

Description

Original Illuminated Medieval Flemish Manuscript Book of Hours Leaf,  circa 1475
Miniature of The RAISING OF LAZARUS
IM-12601:
Original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript
Book of Hours
on animal vellum with a large miniature.  Size is 178 x 128mm – 7 x 5’’.
Recto blank.
The miniature is surrounded by a dense floral border with a
strawberry (symbol of perfect righteousness)
, in rich colors and burnished and liquid gold.
Flanders (Belgium), probably Bruges, c. 1475.
The beautiful miniature painting is similar to works associated with
Willem Vrelant
, an artist working in Bruges 1454-81. It follows the story in John 11: 1-44 and portrays the
New Testament miracle of the Raising of Lazarus from the dead
.
Jesus is shown with right hand raised, blessing the risen Lazarus, whose hands are still bound with strips of linen, as he emerges from the grave in which he was buried four days prior in Bethany.  St. Peter stands directly behind Jesus. One holy woman (probably one of his sisters, Martha or Mary) stands at Jesus’ right with only her blue robes visible to the audience. Two men are seen to Jesus’ left – one wearing red robes with hands raised in amazement, the other walks closer holding a cane. In the background is a walled city, hills and waterway with boats.
Another leaf from the same parent manuscript is pictured and described in the Schuster Gallery, 1987 catalog “Illuminated Manuscripts”, number 34.
A very attractive and beautifully
executed miniature in a nice state of preservation, as seen in the photos.
The
areas of bold color enhanced by lavish use of gold leaf, and the meticulous detail of the medieval vista in the background heighten the visual impact of this uncommon scene.
This Book of Hours leaf was illuminated in Flanders, C. 1475.
This is an original
, about 550 years old, not a reproduction.
It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
.
We have been full-time dealers in Illuminated Manuscripts, Maps, Prints and Antiquities since 1980.