The Resurrection from the Coëtivy Hours

Dunois Master, attributed to

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 Gospel lessons is the Passion story from the Gospel of John. Beneath rubrics in red, the text opens with the illuminated initial 'I' (In illo tempore, Apprehendit pylatus ihesum et flagellavit) painted with white, red, blue and gold ivy-leaf ornament. The miniature is painted in demi-grisaille with pigments and gold and depicts the Resurrection. Jesus, wearing the crown of thorns, rises from an open sarcophagus holding the bleeding wound in his side. St John and Mary his mother sit either side of the coffin, angles hold Instruments of the Passion (cross, sponge and lance), and an arch of red seraphim frame the top of the painting. Dice and a purple robe lay in the lower left, referring to the soldiers who 'cast lots' for his clothing. More angels appear in the margins holding additional Instruments of the Passion (pincers and hammer, nails, whips and column). The angels do not appear in the margins on the verso but rather elements of the Arrest are depicted, Judas kissing Jesus in the upper left, a man with spear below pointing toward the pair, and a woman with lantern in the lower margin.