King David demi-grisaille miniature from an illuminated Book of Hours, on parchment [Low Countries (probably Bruges), c.1460] Single leaf, with a full-page arch-topped miniature, enclosing David kneeling in ermine edged robes in a rocky landscape with his blue crown with gold fleur-de-lys and harp before him, all before a wide river with tiny boats and a mountainous background with a medieval town, as God appears to him in the upper right corner, all in demi-grisaille, with full border of acanthus leaves, other foliage, thistles and a bird (all in grey tones heightened with gold), inner edge with small tri-lobed blue flowers, modern pencil fol. no. ‘36’’ on reverse, gold frame of miniature with few small flakes, else excellent condition, 90mm. by 70mm., framed This is a charming example of grisaille illumination on a tiny scale. Silver was notoriously difficult to master in the book-arts, and the single great period of flourishing of books in this and associated grey-tones was under the wealthy patronage of artistic communities in the Low Countries (most notably Bruges) by the Burgundian dukes. See Sotheby’s, 10 July 2012, lot 14, for a similar miniature, from a contemporary Book of Hours, there ascribed to the Mildmay Master.
King David demi-grisaille miniature from an illuminated Book of Hours, on parchment [Low Countries (probably Bruges), c.1460] Single leaf, with a full-page arch-topped miniature, enclosing David kneeling in ermine edged robes in a rocky landscape with his blue crown with gold fleur-de-lys and harp before him, all before a wide river with tiny boats and a mountainous background with a medieval town, as God appears to him in the upper right corner, all in demi-grisaille, with full border of acanthus leaves, other foliage, thistles and a bird (all in grey tones heightened with gold), inner edge with small tri-lobed blue flowers, modern pencil fol. no. ‘36’’ on reverse, gold frame of miniature with few small flakes, else excellent condition, 90mm. by 70mm., framed This is a charming example of grisaille illumination on a tiny scale. Silver was notoriously difficult to master in the book-arts, and the single great period of flourishing of books in this and associated grey-tones was under the wealthy patronage of artistic communities in the Low Countries (most notably Bruges) by the Burgundian dukes. See Sotheby’s, 10 July 2012, lot 14, for a similar miniature, from a contemporary Book of Hours, there ascribed to the Mildmay Master.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
