Book of Hours

Blue pigments

Artists' Materials

Azurite was used in the majority of blue areas on every folio analysed, although the presence or absence of trace amounts of barium, zinc and arsenic suggest the use of different sources or batches of the same pigment. High amounts of barium impurities, in particular, characterise the images attributed to the Painter of Additional 15677. Ultramarine and smalt were identified on one folio each (fols. 15r and 14r respectively). Indigo was also detected in a minority of areas on several folios.

This page was illuminated by the Painter of Additional 15677. The Crucifixion miniature includes the Virgin, St John, two holy women and Roman soldiers. The architectural border shows scenes from Christ’s Passion within roundels: the Agony in the Garden, Betrayal, Christ before Pilate, Flagellation, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross and the Entombment.