ticketsMember | Make a donation

Manuscript Leaf with the Annunciation from a Book of Hours

ca. 1485–90
Not on view
As part of a daily cycle of prayers in honor of the Virgin, Matins is habitually illustrated by an Annunciation, with the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will bear the infant Jesus. Inhabitual, however, are details of this composition by Jean Bourdichon of Tours, the foremost illuminator to the court of France during the reigns of Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Francis I (1461-1547). Despite his magnificent wings, the angel appearing from the right with crossed arms seems less a heavenly apparition than a confidant. However, it is the golden light suffusing the scene that conveys an otherworldly aspect. Originally the image would have been framed by a floral border, partly visible at the upper left and upper right, and by the opening words of the prayers.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Manuscript Leaf with the Annunciation from a Book of Hours
  • Artist: Jean Bourdichon (French, 1457–1521 Tours)
  • Date: ca. 1485–90
  • Geography: Made in Tours, France
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Tempera and shell gold on parchment
  • Dimensions: Overall: 3 3/4 x 2 3/8 in. (9.6 x 6 cm)
    mat size: 11 7/8 x 11 in. (30.2 x 27.9 cm)
    collectors mark in lower right corner : 3/16 x 3/16 in. (0.5 x 0.5 cm)
  • Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
  • Credit Line: Gift of Peter Sharrer, 2004
  • Object Number: 2004.564
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Gold, ronde-basse enamel, and jewels, French
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
French
early 15th century
Roundel with Playing at Quintain, Colorless glass, vitreous paint and silver stain, French
Roundel with Playing at Quintain
French
ca. 1500
Crib of the Infant Jesus, Wood, polychromy, lead, silver-gilt, painted parchment, silk embroidery with seed pearls, gold thread, translucent enamels, South Netherlandish
Crib of the Infant Jesus
South Netherlandish
15th century
Spanish Translation of Saint Augustine's "City of God", Cano de Aranda Spanish, Tempera and gold on parchment, tooled leather binding, Spanish
Spanish Translation of Saint Augustine's "City of God"
Cano de Aranda
1446–82
Manuscript Leaf with the Trinity in an Initial T, from an Antiphonary, Master of the Riccardiana Lactantius, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Leaf with the Trinity in an Initial T, from an Antiphonary
Master of the Riccardiana Lactantius
second half 15th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.