The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 18, 2024

Leaf Excised from a Book of Hours: Decorated Initial H

Leaf Excised from a Book of Hours: Decorated Initial H

c. 1470–1480
(Netherlandish)
North Netherlands, Zwolle(?), 15th century
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Each leaf: 17.5 x 12.3 cm (6 7/8 x 4 13/16 in.)
The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection 1999.134
Location: not on view

Description

The difficulty in localizing Dutch manuscripts of the second half of the 15th century is formidable. Many shared or exchanged characteristics are found, particularly in terms of page layout, border decoration, and initial design. The present leaf contains borders embellished with brightly colored flowers (columbines) and acanthus leaves filled in with gold bezants, tiny green leaves, and little black dots. Though different in palette, these elements bear closest resemblance to borders and initials produced by a group of artists associated with the Zwolle Bible (Utrecht, Universiteitsbibliotheek, MS. 31). The original illuminators are believed to have worked within the Monastery of the Canons Regular at Agnietenberg. This leaf is painted in an associated style by an artist who must have been familiar with the Zwolle group.
  • [Bruce Ferrini, Akron]
  • Fliegel, Stephen N. The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection of Manuscript Illuminations. Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999. Mentioned and Reproduced: p. 58, cat. no. 56 archive.org
  • The Netherlandish Miniature, 1260-1550 (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 16, 2013-December 8, 2014).
    Main Gallery Rotation (gallery 115): December 16, 2013 - December 8, 2014.
    The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection of Manuscript Illuminations. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 19, 1999-February 27, 2000).
    CMA, 19 December 1999 - 27 February 2000, The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection of Manuscript Illuminations, cat. 56, illus. p. 58.
  • {{cite web|title=Leaf Excised from a Book of Hours: Decorated Initial H|url=false|author=Masters of the Zwolle Bible|year=c. 1470–1480|access-date=18 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1999.134