This leaf is from the brief transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. The earliest printers were trained in the manuscript tradition and incorporated the conventions of historiated initials and illustrations into their early work. At first they left those spaces blank for the illuminator to complete entirely by hand. Later they developed printing methods (using woodcuts or iron engravings) to decorate the leaves.

This buttery vellum leaf features hand-colored images of Saint Sebastian on recto and Saint Denis holding his head on verso. The Latin text adjacent to the images are prayers for the saints, and include illuminated initials and line fillers. The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that feature maidens, young men, plants, flowers, and mythical creatures. The prayer for Saint Sebastian translates as:

Oh, how he shines with wondrous grace,
Sebastian, the famous martyr
who wears the emblems of a soldier.
But, urged on by his brothers' palm,
he comforted trembling hearts
with the heavenly word conferred on him.

The prayer for Saint Denis translates as:

Oh blessed Dionysus, great is your faith.
Intercede for us with the Lord our God,
so that we who are unlike you in quality
may be made equal by his generous grace.

References:

Condition: B+

Very light toning and soiling.