RMGYMss.
LEAF WITH MINIATURE Ref 333 front DAVID AND BATHSHEBA
This is a leaf that was produced in the Southern Netherlands or Flanders (probably at Bruges) c.1500-1520.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: -
On the front of the leaf, which must have faced the opening of the Penitential Psalms, is a large arch topped miniature of David penitent that is surrounded by a narrative border telling the story of David and Bathsheba. The back of the leaf is blank except for a dealer/auction house reference number (1050 above a 1). The leaf has been cut close to the edges of the decoration and it is slightly rubbed.
The size of the leaf is 149mm x 98mm (5 9/10ins. x 3 17/20ins.).
The size of the arch topped miniature is 112mm x 64mm (4 4/10ins. x 2 1/2ins.).
THE LARGE MINIATURE: -
David, a younger man, is shown wearing a long red robe with ermine at the neck over a blue sleeved shirt kneeling on a lawn before a grass topped brick wall with his hat and harp before him. Behind him an open space at the side of his palace which has a fine gothic porch with blue roof and a round tower with battlements. In the far distance to the right can be seen the city walls with a gateway. In the sky above appears the Angel of Vengeance with sward sending rays of light down to David.
THE BORDER: -
The whole narrative represents the story that can be found in 2 Samuel, chapter 11.
The first depiction is verse 2 “And it came to pass in an evening that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”.
At the top left of the page David can be seen in an upstairs window of his palace looking down on a naked Bathsheba who is standing in her bathing pool at the bottom right, her left hand covering her modesty. Surrounding the pool is a brick wall and within it a tall, golden, architectural feature that incorporates a naked lady and it topped by bird.
The second depiction is part of verse 3 “And David sent and inquired after her.”
At the bottom left of the page, a message is delivered from David to Bathsheba’s maids.
The third depiction is verse 14 “And it came to pass in the morning that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah”.
At the door of his palace, David is seen giving Uriah the message that sends him off into battle and his ultimate death.
PROVENANCE: -
There is little doubt that the decoration here was produced in Bruges c.1500-1520. Whilst the image in the large miniature has been reversed (David facing right and the architectural composition running from bottom left towards the top right), the model used was one that circulated among groups of artists at that time which can be found in the Spinola Hours (Malibu, Getty Museum MS.Ludwig IX.18) and Sotheby’s Western Manuscripts and Miniatures, London, 21st. June 1988, Lot No.28. It is a design perhaps initiated by the Master of James IV of Scotland although this leaf was not produced by him.
The leaf was obtained from Bubb Kuyper Auctions, Haarlem, The Netherlands, their Sale No. 57, Lot 2910.
GENERAL COMMENTS: -
Notwithstanding the slight rubbing, this is a superb miniature from a recognisable place of production that would be a welcome addition to any collection.
LEAF WITH MINIATURE Ref 333 front DAVID AND BATHSHEBA
This is a leaf that was produced in the Southern Netherlands or Flanders (probably at Bruges) c.1500-1520.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: -
On the front of the leaf, which must have faced the opening of the Penitential Psalms, is a large arch topped miniature of David penitent that is surrounded by a narrative border telling the story of David and Bathsheba. The back of the leaf is blank except for a dealer/auction house reference number (1050 above a 1). The leaf has been cut close to the edges of the decoration and it is slightly rubbed.
The size of the leaf is 149mm x 98mm (5 9/10ins. x 3 17/20ins.).
The size of the arch topped miniature is 112mm x 64mm (4 4/10ins. x 2 1/2ins.).
THE LARGE MINIATURE: -
David, a younger man, is shown wearing a long red robe with ermine at the neck over a blue sleeved shirt kneeling on a lawn before a grass topped brick wall with his hat and harp before him. Behind him an open space at the side of his palace which has a fine gothic porch with blue roof and a round tower with battlements. In the far distance to the right can be seen the city walls with a gateway. In the sky above appears the Angel of Vengeance with sward sending rays of light down to David.
THE BORDER: -
The whole narrative represents the story that can be found in 2 Samuel, chapter 11.
The first depiction is verse 2 “And it came to pass in an evening that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”.
At the top left of the page David can be seen in an upstairs window of his palace looking down on a naked Bathsheba who is standing in her bathing pool at the bottom right, her left hand covering her modesty. Surrounding the pool is a brick wall and within it a tall, golden, architectural feature that incorporates a naked lady and it topped by bird.
The second depiction is part of verse 3 “And David sent and inquired after her.”
At the bottom left of the page, a message is delivered from David to Bathsheba’s maids.
The third depiction is verse 14 “And it came to pass in the morning that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah”.
At the door of his palace, David is seen giving Uriah the message that sends him off into battle and his ultimate death.
PROVENANCE: -
There is little doubt that the decoration here was produced in Bruges c.1500-1520. Whilst the image in the large miniature has been reversed (David facing right and the architectural composition running from bottom left towards the top right), the model used was one that circulated among groups of artists at that time which can be found in the Spinola Hours (Malibu, Getty Museum MS.Ludwig IX.18) and Sotheby’s Western Manuscripts and Miniatures, London, 21st. June 1988, Lot No.28. It is a design perhaps initiated by the Master of James IV of Scotland although this leaf was not produced by him.
The leaf was obtained from Bubb Kuyper Auctions, Haarlem, The Netherlands, their Sale No. 57, Lot 2910.
GENERAL COMMENTS: -
Notwithstanding the slight rubbing, this is a superb miniature from a recognisable place of production that would be a welcome addition to any collection.