"Death of the Virgin" leaf from a Book of Hours in Latin, Bruges, circa 1460

Dealer description: Mounted on a later sheet of vellum. A large rectangular miniature depicting the Virgin Mary on her deathbed, surrounded by the Apostles, this enclosed by a wide and ornate bar border in pink and blue with gold tracery, the frame outlined in burnished gold and with floral cornerpieces in colors and gold, this within a full floral border filled many leaves and flowers in color and gold. All four ruled margins trimmed away (with some loss at each edge), minor flaking of gold from cornerpieces and from the green robe of an Apostle, otherwise in fine condition.

The scene here is affecting and beautifully rendered, with much detail. The pale Virgin lies in her pink and blue robes on a fine bedstead with rich red pillows and counterpane embroidered in gold, one hand lifted in benediction. Saint Joan hovers by the head of the bed, while Saint Peter in a blue and gold cape administers the last rites. Two other Apostles kneel on the green tessellated floor beside the bed, while the others crowd into the stone bedroom with mullioned windows and vaulted red ceiling. It is the very definition of a gentle death, surrounded by loved ones, assured of salvation - the type of end aspired to by the Christians who used this prayer book. Although the perspective in the foreground is too rudimentary to make us believe that the Virgin is actually taking up space on an actual bed, the depth of the inner chamber is convincing, and the delicate faces are all extremely well done. (ST12994-001)