Giovannino dei Grassi and/or Belbello da Pavia: The Hours of Giangaleazzo Visconti (1370-1399)
Two illuminated pages made by the Italian artist Giovannino dei Grassi (1350-1398) and/ or Belbello da Pavia (d. c. 1470). These two pages come from a book of hours now known as the 'The Hours of Giangaleazzo Visconti', named after duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan (1351-1402) who commissioned the book. The book was a personal prayer book for the duke.The text was written by Frate Amedeo and was illuminated by Giovannino dei Grassi (1350-1398) and after his death by Belbello da Pavia. These two pages form the start of the opening prayer of the Matins (a canonical hour of Christian liturgy). The left page shows the celestial court, with the text "Domine Labia", the first two words of the prayer "Domine labia mea aperies et os meum adnuntiabit laudem tuam" (O Lord, you will open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise - Psalm 50:16). The right page shows the fall of the rebel angels and the rest of the opening prayer (Deus, in adiutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adiuvandum me festina; Gloria - O God, come to my assistance" and "O LORD, make haste to help me; Psalm 69). Two pages from 1370-1399.
The book can be viewed online (link to the National library of Florence) : The Visconti Hours Online