Gerard David

LIBER HORARUM OF GERARD DAVID (Fine Facsimile Illuminated Edition of the 16th C. )

      Testimonio, Madrid - This small Book of Hours is relatively unknown but is nevertheless of some importance since it contains 15 full-page illuminations attributed to the Flemish master Gerard David (1460-1523). The most beautiful is the Virgin with Child at the beginning of the manuscript; this miniature has the same characteristics of altar pieces of the period and is attributed to David himself. Other illuminations also resemble altar pieces but include reproductions of other miniatures, based on designs by other distinguished illuminators of the Bruges school, such as the Master of the Dresden Book of Hours and the Master of Edward IV of England. The rest of the illuminations give a unique glimpse of the working methods of the Flemish illuminators. Conserved in the Escorial Library, this Book of Hours is also of especial importance because it is one of a very small number of dated books of hours from the Ghent-Bruges school. Towards the end of manuscript, a page bearing the date 1486 in the margin surrounding a miniature of St Lazarus, identifies this as one of the earliest productions of David's period in Bruges, which dates from 1484. . New; COLUMBUS COPY BOOKMadrid 1989 This manuscript was discovered only recently and was purchased by the state for the Indies Archive Seville; its 38 folios measuring 230 x 330 mm. Include 6 narrative and 2 personal letters to the Catholic Monarchs. The firs letter, "written at sea" is dated 1493 and is therefore one of the oldest documents in the history of America. The facsimile measures approxymately 33 x 23 cm. The two accompanying volumes contain a study, transcription and notes by Pofessor Antonio Romeu de Armas, Director of the Royal Spanish Academy of History. Limited international edition of 980 numbered certified copies; edition reserved for Spain out of print. [Attributes: Hard Cover]