Illuminated 16th Century French Book of Hours Manuscript Leaf. [The Annunciation of the Shepherds].

Paris, c. 1500. Rare illuminated leaf from a 16th Century French Book of Hours, likely executed by Gilles and Germain Hardouyn. The detailed miniature is elaborately decorated with gold leaf and depicts the Annunciation of the Shepherds on the recto. The verso contains text, illuminated initials and elaborate decorated borders. In near fine condition. The entire piece measures 8.5 inches by 5.25 inches. A collection of prayers to be recited at canonical hours, the book of hours became popular in the Middle Ages, with illumination and decoration restricted to decorated capital letters at the start of prayers and psalms in most examples. Books created for wealthier patrons, however, were often decorated with lavish full-page miniature scenes depicting the eight Hours of the Virgin and the Labours of the Months and signs of the zodiac. The earliest example of full-page calendar miniatures in a book of hours were found in the Tres Riches Heures of the Duke de Berry, the most famous and possibly the best surviving example of French Gothic manuscript illumination. The Dresden Prayerbook (actually a Book of Hours, now destroyed) had such a series, and its illuminator was especially favored for his calendar scenes, often contributing them to manuscripts painted by other artists.