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Leaf from a Breviary

French

Artwork Details

Leaf from a Breviary
circa 1460
French
ink, tempera and gold on parchment
9 3/8 x 6 13/16 in. (23.8 x 17.2 cm);9 3/8 x 6 13/16 in. (23.81 x 17.15 cm);7 3/8 x 5 in. (18.73 x 12.7 cm);4 3/8 x 4 1/2 in. (11.11 x 11.43 cm)
Museum Purchase
1958/1.163

On Display

Not currently on display

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Description

A breviary as ornate as this one probably belonged to either an important abbot or a wealthy noble. The initial "I" at the bottom of the page marks the beginning of Psalm 42: "Judge me, O Lord...."
The breviary contains the elements of the Divine Office, a daily cycle of prayer performed by a community of monks. The core of the Divine Office is the Psalms, which are enriched with music and lessons from the Bible. The borders of the leaf displayed here are richly decorated with a meshwork of tendrils bearing gold leaves and colorful flowers.
A breviary as ornate as this one may have belonged to an important abbot. The initial "I" at the bottom of the page marks the beginning of Psalms 42: "Judge me, O Lord…."
Gallery display label text by Curator Annette Dixon, March 2002

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