The Flagellation 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 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, Terce of the Holy Cross 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 Flagellation of Christ, or Scourging at the Pillar, of Jesus at the hands of Roman soldiers. A priest with wand watches from the right while other officials look on from outside. Two additional torturers with whips inhabit the lower margin, a third figure on the right holds Jesus' clothing. The figures on the verso have been left somewhat unfinished.