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.

The historiated initial D shows God creating Eve from Adam’s side. The historiated border depicts the Sibyl showing the vision of the Virgin and Child to Emperor Octavian. The integral landscape unites the scenes within the initial and border. This page was painted by one of the most talented associates of the Painter of Additional 15677.