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Best.-Nr. MB19 — Single leaf manuscript on vellum written/decorated area ca. 145x8 cm ca. 5 ½ x 3 ¼ in; miniature size ca. 48x35 cm 1 ¾ x 1 3/8 in. Text in Latin. Recto with 22 lines verso with 12 lines. Text in brown ink recto with a two-line initial in white on gold ground with a floral decoration; both recto and verso with elaborate ornamental borders decorated with flowers insects and mythical animals illuminated in red blue green orange and gold border on recto is from ca. 09 cm to ca. 28 cm wide 1/4 to 1 1/8 in border on verso ca. 2 cm 3/4 in wide. Very lightly toned margin slightly soiled miniature with a small pigment loss colour on the border on verso slightly smudged otherwise a very good leaf. A beautiful illuminated manuscript leaf from the “Prayers” part of a Book of Hours created in the studio of Jean Coene IV a prominent French book artist of the early 16th century. The leaf contains the first lines of a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “O Intemerata et in aeternum benedicta singularis et incomparabilis virgo Dei genitrix Maria gratissimum Dei templum spiritus sancti sacrarium janua regni caelorum per quam post Deum totus vivit orbis terrarum. Inclina mater misericordia aures tuae pietatis indignis supplicationibus meis et esto mihi miserrimo peccatori pia et propitia in omnibus auxiliatrix. O Iohanes…” O Untouchable and forever blessed singular and incomparable virgin Mary Mother of God most grateful temple of God the sacristy of the Holy Ghost the gate of the kingdom of heaven by whom next unto God the whole world liveth incline O Mother of Mercy the ears of thy pity unto my unworthy supplications and be pitiful to me a most wretched sinner and be unto me a merciful helper in all things. O most blessed John…. The leaf is illustrated with a miniature portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary dressed in a blue gown and praying with the prayer book on her lap. The colourful border surrounding the text is decorated with floral ornaments and houses a butterfly and a mythical animal resembling a dragon. The verso of the leaf contains the last lines of a previous prayer from the book of hours also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary “Obsecro te…” the lines are: …novissimus diebus meis ostende michi faciem tuam et annuncies michi diem et horam obitus et mortis mee; et hanc orationem supplicem suscipiat et exaudiat et vitam aeternam mihi tribuat. Audi et exaudi me dulcissima virgo Maria mater Dei et misericordiae Amen” …that he may graciously and meekly hear and receive this prayer and give me life everlasting. Hear and make intercession for me most sweet Virgin Mary Mother of God and Mercy. Amen. Overall a fine leaf with a beautiful bright miniature. “Jean Coene also known as the Master of the Paris Entries was a prolific artist who was active in Paris for the French court under Louis XII 1498-1515 and François Ier 1515-47. He was originally named after the manuscripts he painted recording the royal entries into Paris of Mary Tudor in 1514 London British Library Cotton MS.Vespasian B II and Claude de France in 1517 Paris BnF. fr.5750 until his name was discovered in the painted frame on a leaf with the Crucifixion from a Missal inscribed with ‘De Jos Coene’ Leuchtendes Mittelalter Neue Folge 1 1997 ill. On p.320. He collaborated regularly with the Pichore workshop who dominated Parisian book illumination in the first decades of the sixteenth century C. Zöhl Jean Pichore 2004. Although his compositions and figures are related to those of Pichore he is easily distinguishable by characteristic faces with swollen eyes pronounced red lips and his generous use of gold highlighting. His quick painting technique and the careful finish of his miniatures led him to be one of the most successful artists for a high-ranking clientele in early sixteenth-century Paris” Sotheby’s. hardcover