TEXT FROM COMPLINE, FROM THE HOURS OF THE PASSION

Southern Netherlands (Bruges?), third quarter of 15th century. Matted leaf: 150 x 150 mm. (5 7/8 x 4 3/8"). Frame: 307 x 258 mm. (12 x 10 1/4"). Single column, with four lines below the miniature (and the obverse with 17 lines) in a batarde hand.
Attractively matted and framed (the leaf slightly shifted in the mat, revealing top and side edges, but in no danger of damage). Rubrics in red, four one-line initials and three three-line initials all but one in burnished gold on blue and red ground with white tracery, the initial beneath the miniature painted pink on a burnished gold ground and filled with painted ivy vines, AN ARCH-TOPPED LARGE MINIATURE DEPICTING THE ENTOMBMENT, the body of Christ surrounded by seven other people, depicted in an outdoor setting with the turrets of a walled city in the background, the miniature in a double frame of gold and pink, surrounded by A FULL BORDER composed of hairline vines, acanthus, colorful flowers, and gilt bezants, and inhabited by a small bird. Minor soiling and a faint thumb print to borders, but IN VERY FINE CONDITION, THE MINIATURE BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED.

This is a beautifully rendered and deeply touching scene depicting the entombment of the crucified Christ and the pathos experienced by those at his side. Holding the sheet on which the body is lowered into the sarcophagus are (on the far left) the richly clothed Joseph of Arimathea and (on the far right) Nicodemus, who dons an especially lovely yellow garment with delicate embroidery. Between the two men in the foreground but behind the body are the Virgin Mary, who presses the hand of her deceased son to her lips; John the Evangelist, whose body is turned toward the Virgin in a gesture of support, but whose gaze is focused on the Savior; and Mary Magdalene, who holds a small ointment jar. Two other women with halos stand closely behind them, consoling one another. The artist has done a masterful job at creating a composition that captures the emotional gravity of the scene: Christ's body, gently cradled in a white sheet, is on full display, with blood still trickling from the wounds on his head and side. Despite there being seven people crowded around him, our attention is drawn to the action between Christ and the Virgin, who gently grasps his hand with motherly affection, and bids him a final farewell. Flickers of different emotions appear on the faces of his followers, including pity, sorrow, stoicism, and disbelief--echoing, perhaps, the viewer's own range of feelings upon viewing this image. The level of detail, excellence of composition, care seen in the molded bodies and faces, and the convincing setting suggest that the artist was quite practiced, and that the original manuscript from which the leaf comes was of very high quality..