Gothic Illuminated Folio – The Raising Of Lazarus, Flemish Book Of Hours, C. 1480, Medieval

Gothic illuminated folio – The Raising of Lazarus, Flemish Book of Hours, c. 1480, medieval

A rare leaf from a medieval Book of Hours, executed on vellum in the late 15th century, c. 1480. The quality of the illumination and the overall style suggest that this page was produced in Flanders, likely in the circle of a Bruges workshop.

The front side is adorned with a beautiful miniature depicting the Resurrection of Lazarus, an episode from the Gospel according to Saint John. Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, has died and has been lying in his tomb for several days. Jesus goes to him and, after having the tomb opened, commands Lazarus to come out: Lazarus then appears alive, still wrapped in his burial bandages. This scene, particularly significant in medieval Christian iconography, evokes Christ’s power over death and foreshadows the Resurrection.

The miniature is accompanied by a rich border decoration featuring finely painted plant motifs, characteristic of late Gothic illumination. The margin also features, in its upper left corner, a fantastical hybrid creature—a picturesque and sophisticated element of the decorative vocabulary of illuminated manuscripts from this period.

A beautiful initial on a gold background completes the composition.

The reverse side is entirely filled with liturgical text in Latin, without a miniature, thus preserving the original layout of the leaf in the manuscript.

Dimensions: 7.4 × 11 cm

Condition: generally good; some scuffing and signs of wear, consistent with the piece’s age.

A particularly refined example of late medieval Flemish illumination, presented here in the rare form of an original leaf from a book of hours.

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A210

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