A finely printed leaf from the Works of St. Ambrosius with elegantly penned decorative capitals.
Ambrose (born Aurelius Ambrosius; c. 340 – 397), venerated as Saint Ambrose, was the Bishop of Milan, a theologian, and one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. Ambrose was serving as the Roman governor of Aemilia-Liguria in Milan when he was unexpectedly made Bishop of Milan in 374 by popular acclamation. His literary works have been acclaimed as masterpieces of Latin eloquence. Tradition credits Ambrose with promoting "antiphonal chant", a style of chanting in which one side of the choir responds alternately to the other. He is also remembered as the teacher who converted and baptised Augustine of Hippo. Western Christianity identified Ambrose as one of its four traditional Doctors of the Church. He is a patron saint of Milan and of beekeepers.
Recto: 52 lines of Latin text printed on watermarked laid rag paper in four sizes of a gothic font. Page and chapter headings and printed reference notes in the margins. One six-line hand penned initial in red and capitals touched in red.
Verso: As Recto.
Printer: Johannes de Amerbach. Basel, 1492
Content: Chapter 79, beginning with the illuminated “E” is a passage from Luke 19. It reads: Et factum est, cum appropinquasset ad Bethphage et Bethaniam, ad montem qui vocatur Oliveti, misit duos discipulos suos,dicens : Ite in castellum quod contra est : in quod introeuntes, invenietis pullum asinæ alligatum, cui nemo umquam hominum sedit : solvite illum, et adducite. (As he came near Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead with these instructions: “Go to the village there ahead of you; as you go in, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”)
Condition: This leaf is in fine condition with sharp printing on quality rag paper. The red decorations remain clear and vibrant. Two wormholes and a small edge tear in the inner margin The leaf is unconditionally guaranteed genuine.
Size: Size of leaf: approx. 290x205 mm. Text area including heading and marginal notes: approx. 240x180 mm.
References: Goff: A551.
Item No: PSA 027
