The medieval Book of Hours evolved out of the monastic cycle of prayer which divided the day into eight segments, or "hours": Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, Nones, Compline, and Vespers. In Books of Hours are preserved some of the finest works of medieval art.
The medieval Book of Hours evolved out of the monastic cycle of prayer which divided the day into eight segments, or "hours": Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, Nones, Compline, and Vespers. By the early fifteenth century, the format of the Book of Hours had developed to satisfy the demands of private, as opposed to communal, devotion. These portable books are smaller in format than their monastic forebears, designed for use by individuals, with a liturgical system somewhat less complicated than monastic liturgy and more "user-friendly." A Book of Hours invariably begins with a liturgical calendar, listing feast days in chronological order along with a complicated method of calculating the date of Easter. The seven Penitential Psalms are usually included as well, and additional prayers (devoted to particular saints or personal issues) according to the desires and needs of the owner.
In Books of Hours are preserved some of the finest works of medieval art. Each section of the manuscript traditionally begins with an illuminated miniature that complements the prayers, to stimulate contemplation and meditation in the reader. Because they were expensive and spectacular works of art, the ownership of these manuscripts was limited mainly to royalty, nobility and the very wealthy. They are often adorned with coats of arms, and portraits of patrons may sometimes be found within the miniatures. As their popularity increased, an efficient system of book production and trade developed to match the demand for Books of Hours. Professional scribes produced the texts in one location, the miniatures were painted in artists' workshops, and the two brought together in the bookbinder's hall. Patrons could choose the texts and miniatures they wanted, or purchase complete, generic manuscripts in stationers' book shops. A thriving economy developed around the production of Books of Hours, especially in centers such as Bruges and Utrecht.
This particular Illuminated Book of Hours was published in 1524 in France and is believe to be written and decorated in Touraine. The text is in Latin and the book contains a total of 228 pages - containing a variety of verses and 43 color illustrations (which are detailed below.)
The original book was carefully scanned to very high resolution digital images used in the production of this CD.
You can view a full page image by clicking here. This will open a new browser window to show the image in. Please allow time for it to load as it is a very large image. Each page on the CD is of this size and clarity.
Here are the sections in this incredible Illuminated Book.
St. John on Patmos |
St. Luke, painting (with ox) |
St. Matthew, writing (with angel) |
St. Mark (with lion) / The Agony in the Garden |
The Annunciation |
Emperor Augustus and the Tiburine |
The Nativity |
The Annunciation of the Shepherds |
The Adoration of the Magi |
The Presentation in the Temple |
The Flight into Egypt |
The Death of the Virgin |
The Carrying of the Cross |
Pentecost |
Bathsheba Emerging from the Bath |
The Raising of Lazarus |
Job and his Comforters |
Madonna and Child |
St. Michael fighting the dragon / Angel blowing a long horn |
St. John the Baptist with the Lamb of God |
St. James the Apostle as a pilgrim |
St. Stephen with palm frond |
St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child |
St. Denis hilding the top of his head and the bishop's staff |
St. Martin dividing his cloak with a beggar |
St. Roch displaying a plague spot |
St. Mary Magdalene, with an unguent jar |
St. Barbara by tower reading a book |
This is a must have collection for any Rare Book or Medieval Art buff!
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