Leaf from Book of Hours with Miniature of St. George and the Dragon
ILLUMINATED LEAF FROM BOOK OF HOURS WITH MINIATURE OF ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
The legendary story of St. George riding on horseback and slaying a dragon to rescue the king’s daughter is depicted in this miniature. St. George sits atop his horse wielding a sword as the dragon sits breathing fire underneath him. The king’s daughter can be found in the background kneeling (presumably) in prayer. The miniature is bordered in gold. Beneath the miniature, the illuminated initial is also painted in gold. This initial “T” begins a prayer to St. George which is continued on the back (16 lines, brown ink). On the verso, there is another, smaller initial “D” also painted in gold. The miniature is bordered on three sides with a decoration of blue and brown acanthus, red flower buds, berries and some gold sporadically throughout.
The miniature was likely created in Bruges circa 1440, showing elements of style associated with the Masters of the Gold Scrolls, popular in Bruges between the 1420s and the 1450s.
Bruges, c. 1440, all text is clear and legible, illumination is bright and radiant, beautifully matted and framed, leaf size 5.7x3.9in (145x100mm), miniature size 2.7x1.9in (70x50mm), frame size 10.75x8.88in (273.05x225.43mm).
Price: $3,900 .