Bruges artist, 1470

Size: 227mm x 153mmDescription: Illuminated miniature of the Betrayal of Christ. Bruges, Flanders.Dealer description: Historiated initial showing Christ being betrayed by Judas in front of a crowd of soldiers, in the foreground Malchus is having his ear cut off by Peter. The initial painted in blue with white tracery in a gold frame. Border on three sides composed of blue and green acanthus, flowers and fruit and other coloured flowers and leaves, the text contained within a gold and pink border on three sides. 17 lines of gothic text (text area: 146x95mm). Superb illumination from a Book of Hours almost certainly produced in Bruges in the workshop of William Vrelant, probably the most influential artist in Bruges in the second half of the 15th century. It is probably from one of the many manuscripts produced in Bruges for the English market. Another leaf from this manuscript contained a miniature of the commendation of souls, a scene rarely depicted in continental Books of Hours, but much more common in English Books of Hours, or those produced for the English market. The historiated intial introduces lauds. This is from a manuscript of considerable dimensions written in a large liturgical script obviously commissioned by a patron of high rank.