Artwork Page for Leaf from a Book of Hours: John on Patmos (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

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Leaf from a Book of Hours: John on Patmos (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

c. 1465
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Master of Jacques de Luxembourg

(French)
Culture
France, Eastern France or Paris (?), 15th century
Medium
ink, tempera and gold on vellum
Measurements
Leaf: 23.7 x 18.6 cm (9 5/16 x 7 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection 2011.62
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

The miniature of St. John comes from a cycle of evangelist portraits forming the lessons following the calendar. The Evangelist John is shown seated on the Island of Patmos, to which he was banished by the Roman Emperor Domitian. It was here, as tradition has it, that John composed his Book of Revelation. A common motif is the inclusion of a mischievous devil who attempts to distract the saint from his sacred work by stealing his ink bottle. The Master of Jacques de Luxembourg had a strong sense of visual detail, particularly in architecture, which he typically combined with a flair for narrative. This points to his origin in eastern France or Flanders, though he may have actually worked in Paris.
A vertically oriented tempera and gold on vellum leaf depicts Saint John, a man with light skin tone and wavy shoulder length hair. He sits on an island wearing a white gown and pink mantle, writing in an open book. To our left stands an eagle; to our right crouches a small dark demon. Below, Latin text starts with a gold initial. A dense border of flowers, birds, and a snail frames the composition.

Leaf from a Book of Hours: John on Patmos (1 of 2 Excised Leaves)

c. 1465

Master of Jacques de Luxembourg

(French)
France, Eastern France or Paris (?), 15th century

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