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St Luke and his symbol, probably from a Book of Hours

Manuscript Cutting
ca. 1420-30 (made)
Place of origin

Recto: miniature showing St Luke the Evangelist, writing in his study, with the ox, his symbol, at his feet.
Verso: text. Gospel according to St Luke, 1: 26-28
... angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilee cui nomen Nazaret ad virginem desponsatam viro cui nomen erat Ioseph de domo David, et nomen virginis Maria. Et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit Ave gratia plena Dominus tecum Bene...
This framed miniature is actually made from two cuttings: the parchment on which the frame is painted comes from a different manuscript, probably also 15th century, to the small arched miniature. This is clearly visible when seen from the back where two texts and scripts collide. The painted frame may be a later addition.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSt Luke and his symbol, probably from a Book of Hours
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Miniature showing St Luke and his symbol, the ox, probably from a book of hours, French (Paris), c.1420-30. A duplicate number MS.822 was assigned to this object in error and was subsequently cancelled.
Physical description
Recto: miniature showing St Luke the Evangelist, writing in his study, with the ox, his symbol, at his feet.
Verso: text. Gospel according to St Luke, 1: 26-28
... angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilee cui nomen Nazaret ad virginem desponsatam viro cui nomen erat Ioseph de domo David, et nomen virginis Maria. Et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit Ave gratia plena Dominus tecum Bene...
This framed miniature is actually made from two cuttings: the parchment on which the frame is painted comes from a different manuscript, probably also 15th century, to the small arched miniature. This is clearly visible when seen from the back where two texts and scripts collide. The painted frame may be a later addition.
Dimensions
  • Height: 47mm
  • Width: 44mm
  • Miniature only height: 42mm
  • Miniature only width: 29mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
Fragmented Illuminations: Medieval and Renaissance Manuscript Cuttings at the V&A, 08/09/2021 - 26/06/2022, rooms 88A-90



Intimate Proportions

The small size of these cuttings and the scenes depicted
indicate that they came from books of hours. The scene
of David fighting Goliath would have fitted with the
border of the Penitential Psalms’ opening section,
as David was believed to be their author. The image
of St Luke writing, accompanied by his symbol, an ox,
introduced a passage from his Gospel.



Cutting with David and Goliath, probably from a book of hours

Ghent or Bruges, Flanders (now Belgium), about 1440–60

Ink, gold, watercolour and bodycolour on parchment

Museum no. 9003J



Cutting with St Luke and his symbol, from a book of hours

Probably Paris, France, about 1420–30

Ink, gold, watercolour and bodycolour on parchment

Museum no. 9019A/1
Object history
Part of cuttings purchased in batches from William Henry James Weale in 1883, 95 on 9 April 1883, 258 on 17 April 1883, 20 on 20 February, for the total sum of £96.7.2 (now Museum nos 8972-9042).
A duplicate number MS.822 was assigned to this object in error and was subsequently cancelled.
Other number
MS.822 - Cancelled number
Collection
Accession number
9019A/1

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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