Coronation 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). Vespers of the Holy Spirit concludes on the recto with angels inhabiting the lower margin playing a harp and portative organ. On the verso, Compline of the Virgin opens with the illuminated initial 'C' (Converte nos deus salutaris noster) painted with white, red, blue and gold ivy-leaf ornament. The miniature is painted in demi-grisaille with pigments and gold and depicts the Coronation of the Virgin Mary in Heaven. An angel holds a crown over the kneeling Mary while angels trumpet her arrival. Jesus sits on a canopied throne encircled by red seraphim and gestures for his mother to sit at his right. In the margins, angelic musicians play pipe, psaltery, viol, portative organ and harp.