THE CRUCIFIXION, miniature on a leaf from an illuminated Book of Hours [Paris, c.1470]

A lovely miniature that would have opened the Hours of the Cross in a French Book of Hours painted by an artist in the immediate circle of the celebrated Maître François (fl. 1460-80) – if not by the Master himself. The light clear tones, especially in the landscape, the porcelain-like complexion of the Virgin and the freer handling of the fleshtones of the men are all typical of Maître François’s individual style and execution.

Provenance:
The style of illumination indicates a Parisian production of the final third of the 15th century.

Measurements:
176 x 133mm. The Crucifixion, within a full foliate border, verso with 15 lines of text.

Bibliography:
F. Avril and N. Reynaud, Les manuscrits à peintures en France 1460-1520, 1993, pp.45-52.

-