"[Illuminated Leaf]", Hardouin, Gilles

An extraordinary illuminated and printed vellum leaf decorated on both sides with panels of acanthus leaves and flowers in red, blue, green and white on a gold background. The verso includes a miniature of the Crucifixion of Christ and a famous poem (Stabat Mater Dolorosa. Iuxta Crucem Lacrymosa. Dum Pendebat Filius. Cuius Animam Gementem. Contristatem et Dolentem. Pertransivit Gladius) by Jacopone de Todi, an Italian who lived around 1250 and was an infamous critic of the pope. The poem tells a haunting eyewitness account by the apostle who remained at the foot of the cross, along with Mary, during the entire Crucifixion.

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Condition: A+