Adoration of the Magi from the Coëtivy Hours

Object Information

Material:: Parchment (material) Gold leaf Gold pigment Pigment (material) Ink (material)

Description:: Folio with three-quarter page miniature from a book of hours attributed to the Dunois Master, written in Latin and French in a bastarda script, made in Paris and dated 1443–1445. It was commissioned by Prigent de Coëtivy (1399?–1450) on the occasion of his marriage to Marie de Rais (1429–1457). Removed from the bound volume between 1933 and 1960. Following the calendar, Gospel lessons and Passion story are the mixed Hours of the Virgin (8), Holy Cross (7) and Holy Spirit (7). Beneath rubrics in red, Sext of the Virgin opens with the illuminated initial 'D' (Deus in adiutorium meum intende) painted with white, red, blue and gold ivy-leaf ornament. The miniature is painted in demi-grisaille with pigments and gold and depicts the Adoration of the Magi of the infant Jesus. The baby, on Mary's lap and beneath a glowing star, accepts the gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense from the three wise men, or kings. Two have removed their crowns, one kneels in supplication. Their retinue stretch into the upper right. A bewildered Joseph stands behind the mother and child, ox and ass (donkey) watch from the other side. On the right, the kings follow the star, followed by their retinue including a camel carrying baggage. Only the camel and attendant are included on the verso.

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