Exhortatio S. Augustini... ad patientia exemplo passionis Christi by ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT - 18th century

Southern Europe, 18th century. 83 x 57 mm. ILLUMINATED MINIATURE MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM. 70 leaves (with an additional 18 blank leaves at end), manuscript in black and gold, ruled in red. 19th-century morocco gilt (some light wear to joints and edges). Provenance: Cornelius J. Hauck, Cincinatti Museum Center (their sale Christie's New York, 27 June 2006, lot 442). This miniature manuscript contains 26 FULL-PAGE MINIATURES devoted entirely to meditations upon the passion of Christ. With a few figured subjects at the beginning and end of the series, the miniatures are mainly emblematic, showing single objects and subjects from the passion. The cycle constitutes what is known as the Arma Christi or "Leidenswerkzeuge." Each miniature is accompanied by textual excerpts, quoted from carefully identified sources in the writings of St. Augustine and relating directly to the subjects of the painting.

List of miniatures: f1v Christ Crucified; f2v The lighted Lantern; f3v The Ropes; f4v The Kiss of Judas; f5v The mailed Fist; f6v The crowing Cock; f7v Christ's Robe; f8v The Column; f9v The Flail; f10v The Scourge; f11v The Crown of Thorns and the Rods; f12v The Cross; f13v Christ's right Hand, pierced by the Nail; f14v Christ's left Hand, pierced by the Nail; f15v Christ's Feet pierced by the Nail; f16v Christ's Heart, the sacred Heart; f17v The Hammer; f18v The Sponge of Vinegar; f19v The Lance; f20v The Dice; f21vPilate; f22r The thirty Pieces of Silver; f23v The Ladder; f24v The Nail, Augur and Pliers; f25r The Roman Soldier and the Workman; f26r The good Thief and the bad Thief. A superb miniature illuminated manuscript.