Franciscan Psalter
- Workshop of the Franciscan Master of Bruges
Manuscript in Latin on vellum
Flanders, Bruges, c. 1255 - 1260
158 x 106 mm
Price on request
174 (of 176) leaves. Nine historiated initials (of 10), 10 calendar illustrations (of 12), and five full-page miniatures. 17th-century brown morocco with triple framing spine, back and front. Excellent condition.
From the Lifetime of Saint Francis: A luxurious Psalter
A stunning Psalter made during the lifetime of Saint Francis possibly for the use by a Beguine. The manuscript is decorated with ten lively, rural occupations in the calendar, five marvellous, full-page miniatures with abundant use of gold leaf and nine large, historiated initials.
This stunning manuscript features five full-page miniatures on exquisitely burnished gold ground: Saints Francis and Clare, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, and the Crucifixion. The full-page miniatures all have the same layout and composition: they are surrounded by a golden frame outlined in black and decorated with blue and pale mauve bands. Within this golden frame, the scene is set under a trefoil arch surmounted by a structure with two or four steeples, rising beyond the frame, with the roofs in blue, gold, or emerald green. The palette of the artist is a striking mixture between muted shades and the bright and velvety hues of costly mineral colours. The faces are generally very fine and presented at three quarters, using an orange spot to emphasise mouth and cheeks.
Upon opening the manuscript, the reader is greeted by beautiful illuminations of the labours of the months placed in pointed frames. The Illuminator used gold liberally, not only for the frames but also in the clothing which envelopes the figures in luxurious folds. Additionally, nine historiated initials on gold grounds show seated prophets and serve as introductions for the Psalms. The style, palette, and iconography of our manuscript correlates with a group of ten Psalter that have been named ‘the apostle Psalters’ since they all share illustrations of standing or seated figures of apostles in the historiated initials that introduce the respective Psalms.
This exquisite Psalter was inspired by the fresh enthusiasm brought about by the Franciscan order which settled in Bruges in 1221 and in Ghent in 1225 – during the lifetime of Saint Francis. Franciscan friars often acted as religious instructors for pious women, namely members of Beguine communities. The book at hand could have very well served as a prayer book for a Beguine. Remarkably, subsequent textual additions demonstrate that this Psalter was still cherished and used in the 15th century and later, demonstrating the personal and religious value of this beautiful piece of Flemish book art.