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

An appealing miniature that would have opened None from the Hours of the Virgin in a French Book of Hours painted by a follower or the workshop of the celebrated Maître François (fl. 1460-80). The light clear tones, especially in the landscape, the porcelain-like complexions of the female figures 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 124mm. The Presentation in the Temple, within a full foliate border, verso with 16 lines of text.


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

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