Hand-colored Large-format Illumination of the Crucifixion.


France, 16th century.

Folio-format parchment leaf with large Crucifixion scene masterfully painted in full color over a printed wood- or metalcut, with a gilt and lapis lazuli border, featuring scrollwork, festoons of fruit, a coat of arms at the foot held by two angels; the scene itself depicted in great detail, with the Virgin Mary in blue on the left and John the Apostle in red with a blue book on the right; a skull and some bones are scattered on the ground, and Jerusalem rises in the distance; a beautifully preserved example with printed music on the verso that begins, "Prefatio Quotidiana," printed in two columns in red and black with a large illuminated gilt initial with a blue background decorated with white tracery, bottom right corner with signature mark "t," matted and housed in a double-glazed frame, 11 1/2 x 8 in. sight.