The Annunciation, miniature on a leaf from a Book of Hours - photo 1

The Annunciation, miniature on a leaf from a Book of Hours

Lot 201
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -04:00
Classic
Sold
$ 30 240
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1032853
Lot 201 | The Annunciation, miniature on a leaf from a Book of Hours
Estimate value
$ 18 000 – 25 000
A sumptuous and imposing miniature by the Dunois Master, one of the dominant figures of French illumination, from what would have been an exceptionally lavish and rich commission.

213 x 142mm. The miniature with the Annunciation above a historiated initial and a full border incorporating 5 roundels depicting scenes from the Life of the Virgin, opening the Hours of the Virgin in a Book of Hours, reverse with 16 lines of text and 5 illuminated initials and a partial border (fading to the midtones of the pink pigment, small losses to the blue of the robes). Mounted and framed. Provenance: Tajan, 28 November 2011, lot 65. Two leaves with identical dimensions and layout and likely from the same Hours are a Crucifixion sold at Sotheby's, 4 December 2007, lot 7 (attributed to the Dunois Master but in fact by one of his frequent collaborators, the Master of the Munich Golden Legend); and a David in Prayer, Private Collection, New York (illustrated in Art de l'Enluminure, 47 (2013-14), p.17).

The refined miniature is by the Dunois Master, the successor of the Bedford Master as the leading painter in Paris (Avril and Reynaud Les manuscrits à peintures en France, p.37) and in conception and execution is a fabulous example of his painterly and atmospheric detailing. The scene can be compared to its magnificent counterpart in the Salisbury Breviary, commissioned by John, Duke of Bedford, in c.1424 and never completed (Paris, BnF ms lat. 17294, f.440). The Dunois Master worked extensively for the French court, as in his named work, the Count of Dunois’ Book of Hours (British Library, Yates Thompson 3), and the Hours of Simon de Varie, dated 1455 (J. Paul Getty Museum and The Hague KB 74 G37a). The parent manuscript from which this miniature comes would have been a sumptuous commission, much larger in size than the Dunois Hours. The iconography of the hisoriated initial is unusual: at first glance an Annunciation to the Shepherds, the non-conventional shepherd on the right is more likely Moses, and the scene — that of Moses and the burning bush — a traditional metaphor for the Virginity of Mary (thus a suitable accompaniment to the Annunciation miniature).
Genre:Religious genre
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Medieval & renaissance manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
14.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
15.10.2023 13:00 – 17:00
16.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
17.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
18.10.2023 10:00 – 17:00
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
×
Save this search query and get timely email alerts! It is simple and very effective.
мужские часы
Create a Search Subscription