Showing posts with label Religion and spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion and spirituality. Show all posts

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Books of Hours (continued) "Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis cum calendario", 14th Century

Title for this jewel is HORAE BEATAE MARIAE VIRGINIS CUM CALENDARIO. It's written in bold gothic letters, long lines, 15 to a full page. It has a complete french callendar in blue, red and gold letters with “Les Quinze joyes de Nre Dame”. Every page of this codex has a lateral border of rich decoration in floreate scrolls and natural flower and fruits and numerous fine illuminated ornamental initials, a total of 12 full page finely painted and richly illuminated arched miniatures surrounded by borders of elaborate floreate decoration and 7 smalls of Saints.

Subjets of large miniatures comprise: S. John in Patmos, The Annunciation, The Visitation (Mary and Elizabeth), The Nativity, The Angels appearing to the Shepherds, Presentation in the Temple, Flight into Egypt, David Praying, Pentecost, Burial Service, the Trinity, Archangel Michael Slay, The Dragon, John the Baptist carrying Lamb and Flag, St Anthony preaching to the Beasts, Mary Magdalene reading, etc.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Books of Hours

We start this biblio-adventure with one of the most incredible -at least for me- manuscript type of all surviving medieval illuminated manuscripts, the "Book of Hours". Like every manuscript, each Book of Hours is unique, but most contain a similar collection of texts, prayers and psalms, often with appropriate decorations, for Christian devotion. Illumination or decoration may be extremely lavish (see examples below), with full-page miniatures. Books of hours were usually written in Latin (latin name for them is horae) during 14th and 15th century, although there are many entirely or partially written in vernacular European languages like ancient german, french or even italian. So far I've never seen a spanish (castellan) written one, it's my personal investigation in Spanish museums. If I find, I'll update this post.

It's very difficult to obtain a original Book of Hours. Sotheby's has auctions from time to time, but prices reach even more than 150.000 euros for a standard -not lavish- Book of Hours, poorly illuminated from 16th or 17th century. It's easier, however, to buy a simple vellum page. Some art merchants recommend owners to dis assemble the Book for a better selling. No comments.