Book of Hours, f.73, (184 x 133 mm), 15th century, Alexander Turnbull Library, MSR-02. (6046619365) High Quality Matte Wall Art Poster for Home, Office, Classroom

Museum-grade 175gsm paper and top-tier pigmented archival ink create this exquisite poster. Matte finish is perfect for art for indoor use. Choose your size and decorate your room, or give as a present for any occasion. This Book of Hours was copied in Eastern France between 1425 and 1475. The miniature pictured is one of twelve large miniatures in gold frames, arched at the top and with three or four lines of text underneath. This leaf at the beginning of Vespers for the Hours of the Virgin illustrates the Flight into Egypt. Joseph is leading a donkey carrying Mary and the baby Jesus as they flee from Jerusalem and the persecution of King Herod. The full border is of floral acanthus design, and immediately below the miniature is a 3-line initial in red and blue with white tracery on a gold ground. The last line of text is completed with a line filler. The Book of Hours was a medieval prayer book used by laymen for private devotion. These books were created for both men and women, but their place in female devotion is particularly noteworthy. The text centres on the Hours of the Virgin, a series of prayers to be said at the eight canonical hours of Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. The Flight into Egypt is a biblical event in which Mary and Joseph, with the infant Jesus, fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod, who was seeking to kill the baby Jesus. The event is described in the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew. The scene usually depicts Mary and Joseph, on horseback or on foot, traveling through a barren landscape with the baby Jesus in Mary's arms. The scene is meant to symbolize the Holy Family's flight from danger and their trust in God to provide for them during their journey.