Beschreibung:

ANNUNCIATION, copy of a miniature from a Book of Hours illuminated by a follower of the Jouvenel Master, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM [?Britain, late 19th century] 147 x 108mm. Full-page miniature, in an elaborate architectural framework in brown and shell gold, the Annunciation in a central compartment flanked by four prophets in niches, each with a banderole with his name and a quotation from his prophecies (slight flaking of white paint, some staining to lower margin, outside image area). Framed, set into a ?19th-century Persian painted and gilt frame decorated with a large iris and repeated foliate scrolls and flower sprays (some light surface wear and cracks). This finely and skilfully painted miniature is a copy of one by a follower of the Jouvenel Master in a Book of Hours made in Angers c.1465. It is an exact repetition except for the omission of the coat of arms of the original owner from the lower central niche and for the failure to transcribe Daniel accurately in the lower right scroll -- only the latter part of his name appears in the original. The miniature is f.19 of M.248 in the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, having been acquired in 1906. The copy was probably made in Britain, since the first known owner of the manuscript was William Bragge, who exhibited it at the Leeds Exhibition in 1868 (no 45); it was lot 349 in his sale, Sotheby's, London, 7-10 June 1876. The copyist has emulated the delicacy of the original, particularly in the gold highlights, to make this a very accomplished example of the revival of illuminating techniques.