Artwork Page for Leaf from a Book of Hours: Initial D

Details / Information for Leaf from a Book of Hours: Initial D

Leaf from a Book of Hours: Initial D

c. 1400

England, early 15th century

Medium
ink, tempera and gold on vellum
Measurements
Each leaf: 15.2 x 11.4 cm (6 x 4 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection 2006.10
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Not all books of hours were decorated with conventional historiated initials or full-page miniatures containing figural scenes. The illuminator of this leaf incorporated a more subtle decorative scheme consisting of a large, flower-filled initial D for Deus that gives a focus to the page. A rectangular bar border with ivy leaf sprays punctuated with flowers in the corners flows from this initial. The layout is neat, yet elegant. The palette of orange-reds and pale blues is typically English.
An ink and tempera manuscript page on vellum has stylized black script with red headings and blue initials. To the upper left, a large ornate gold and blue initial 'D' with interior vine patterns anchors the layout. A rectangular frame of alternating blue and red circles in gold borders the text area. Delicate vines with blue and red flowers and gold leaves sprout from the border, extending into the wide, creamy margins.

Leaf from a Book of Hours: Initial D

c. 1400

England, early 15th century

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