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 a hand-colored image on verso of Saint Matthew reading a book beside an angel, accompanied by text that translates as:

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews?

On recto is another hand-colored image of Saint Luke beside an ox, accompanied by text that translates as:

The Angel Gabriel was sent of God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel being entered in, said unto her: Hail full of grace, our Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.

The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that feature biblical scenes, plants, flowers, and mythical creatures.

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Condition: B+

Light toning and soiling.