University of Massachusetts, Amherst Leaf 45
This leaf is from a Book of Hours made in France in the later fifteenth century, and its text conforms very clearly to the Use of Paris. The vellum is very well prepared, and measures 18.5 x 13 cm; the text block is ruled in red, and the main ink is a dark slate color. The formation of the letters, both in shape and in position above the ruling, gives them a slightly insubstantial quality; there are, moreover, a surprising number of grammatical and other scribal errors in these leaves. Simple vines of red, blue, and gold flower buds ascend and descend from at least one large initial on each leaf; the blue ink used for the decoration is especially vivid. See Denison University Leaf 45 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: Based on the leaves we have seen, this Book of Hours accords with the Use of Paris: the leaves in the Ohio State University and Cleveland Institute of Art portfolios provide the best clues. This leaf contains text from the Joys of the Virgin; it contains the beginning of the hymn "Gaude virgo mater Christi," a rhymed hymn of salutation to the Virgin Mary. Note the interspersed French. A scan of the verso is not currently available.
Amherst Leaf 45 Verso
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Leaf 45 Verso
Amherst Leaf 45 Verso Transcription
[5 lines untranscribed.]
Ci serisinent [?] les v. joies de la benoite vierge marie. la premiere.
Gaude virgo mater Christi que per aurem concepisti Gabriele nuncio. la seconde.
Gaude quia deo plena peperisti sine pena cum pudoris lilio.
Amherst Leaf 45 Verso Translation
A translation of this leaf is currently unavailable.