Book of Hours (Use of Paris)
In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment
France, Paris, c.1490
With 13 full-page miniatures, 2 large miniatures and 24 calendar miniatures by the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (active in Paris, c. 1493-c. 1510)
This striking Book of Hours contains miniatures by an accomplished and prolific artist named the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse after a manuscript he painted for Jean de Chabannes (Paris, BnF, MS Clairambaut 481). The miniatures are painted in vibrant colors with ample use of gold brush, with highly original geometric or foliate frames.
Book of Hours (Use of CAMBRAI)
In Latin, with some French, illuminated manuscript on parchment
Southern Netherlands, likely Mons (Hainaut), c. 1460-1475
46 historiated initials by the Master of Philippe of Croÿ (active 1460s-1480s)
With an exceptionally large number of historiated initials, painted in bright vibrant colors, with contours of the initials incorporating zoomorphic figures or dragons, this delicate Book of Hours was copied for the liturgical use of Cambrai, but painted in nearby Mons, artistic capital of Hainaut. Once attributed to the scribe and illuminator Jacquemart Pilavaine, it is now accepted that the style of the miniatures are the oeuvre of an artist (“historieur”) christened Master of Philip of Croÿ after his most famous Burgundian patron Philip of Croÿ (1435-1511). The borders with a variety of colors and shades of grisaille and mauves are very refined.
Book OF HOURS (USE OF GEERT GROTE)
In Dutch, illuminated manuscript on parchment
Eastern Netherlands, probably Zwolle, c. 1470-1480
1 full-page and 3 historiated initials by the Masters of the Zwolle Bible
This charming Book of Hours is illuminated by the Masters of the Zwolle Bible, perhaps under the supervision of the Brethren of the Common Life at Zwolle in the Gregoriushuis. The Masters of the Zwolle Bible are a group of artists identified from their production of a sumptuous six-volume Bible made for the Community of the Brethren of the Common Life in Zwolle between 1462 and 1476. Their style is characterized by the restricted pale palette and uncomplicated easy-to-read compositions. The present manuscript was most probably made for a resident of Utrecht, the “Tho[mas] Joffe,” whose late fifteenth-century ex-libris in Dutch is visible with UV light on the last leaf.
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"Books of Hours Reconsidered" by S. Hindman, J. Marrow (eds.) order your copy from Brepols.
VIDEO
S. Hindman and K. Goepfert confront a range of questions which one should consider when buying a Book of Hours.
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Dr. Hindman talks to the Antique trade Gazette about the market for illuminated manuscripts.
This site presents Books of Hours, the medieval “bestseller,” for sale by Les Enluminures.
It includes full descriptions and images for every Book of Hours on the site. Examples represent a wide range of Books of Hours available on the market, manuscripts made in France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Italy and dating from c. 1400 to c. 1540. Some printed Books of Hours are included. Tutorials offer tools for learning more about Books of Hours. Visitors can search by artist, country, date, price range, and reference number.
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