The Crucifixion, an Illuminated miniature on vellum from a Book of Hours. Rouen, c.

The crucified Christ in the centre with the Virgin on the left and St. John on the right. Landscape background showing a large rock, a walled city by a river and distant mountains. Full border of blue and pale gold acanthus leaves, coloured flowers and fruit, gold leaves on hair-line stems. Three-line initial in blue, infilled with red and blue flowers all with white tracery, on a burnished gold ground. 2 two-line initials on verso, line-fillers, ruled in red.

Size of leaf: 165 x 120mm. Size of miniature: 92 x 65mm. 16 lines of gothic text in a liturgical hand.

The three lines of text below the miniature introduce Matins in the Hours of the Cross ("Domine labia mea aperies"), traditionally said in the very early morning. This is a good example of Rouen illumination, featuring many of its characteristic features: carefully drawn figures and landscape, the horizontally dappled trees in the background, with gold hatching in the robes and elements of the landscape. The castellated city town on the edge of the river could be Rouen itself. 

The miniature in excellent condition, the colours of the border a little faded..

Stock Code: 246309