In books of hours it was super fashionable to include richly coloured flowered, birds and small items, both as delightful distractions and their deeper symbolic meanings (for example, the iris was a symbol of devotion, and the peacock, whose flesh was thought to be incorruptible, was symbolic of Christ- as well as being a prestigious game bird.)
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Peacock Manuscript
Commission to recreate a medieval manuscript.
Based on several Netherlandish books of Hours c14890 such as the Hours of Philip of Cleves. Many of the decorative elements objects have symbolic meanings as well as aesthetic qualities.
Chinese ink, liquid gold and body colour on archival parchmentine, 2014. 20 x13.5 cm (8 x 5").
