Measuring only 5 inches tall by 3 inches wide, this 1485 Book of Hours was designed to fit neatly in the palm of a woman’s hand. And as the only known copy of the first Book of Hours printed in France (published less than 50 years after Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type), it fetched the tidy sum of $471,304 when the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City bought it at a Sotheby’s auction in London last November.
The Book of Hours was considered a “medieval best-seller” and had a 250-year reign of popularity in Europe from about 1275 to 1525.g These small prayer books were produced for lay people to serve as simplified versions of clerical breviaries, which contained the many prayers, hymns, psalms and readings of the Divine Office (a complicated series of prayers recited by clergy on a daily basis).
These books provided the faithful with an opportunity to have a direct relationship with God, but they also focused heavily on devotion to Mary as intercessor. Although the content varied somewhat from book to book, most versions of the Book of Hours consisted of eight parts: (1) a Calendar, (2) four Gospel Lessons, (3) the Hours of the Virgin, (4) the Hours of the Cross and Hours of the Holy Spirit, (5) two prayers to the Virgin, (6) Penitential Psalms and Litany, (7) the Office of the Dead and (8) numerous Suffrages (prayers to individual saints).
Books of Hours were commissioned by the aristocracy as well as the middle class, and the greatest painters of the day were hired to illuminate the pages with small yet intricate images of Biblical scenes and religious figures—sometimes using precious gold, silver and lapis lazuli for decoration.
With its 40-some simple woodcut prints, the 1485 French Book of Hours is by no means the most elaborate example. But as the first one printed in France (and the first by noted publisher Antoine Vérard), it will hold a special place in the Morgan’s impressive collection of 240 manuscripts and around 130 printed versions of the Book of Hours.
According to John Bidwell, curator of printed books and bindings at the Morgan, this recently acquired Book of Hours will be on display for about three months, starting in April.—D.D.R.
Measuring only 5 inches tall by 3 inches wide, this 1485 Book of Hours was designed to fit neatly in the palm of a woman’s hand. And as the only known copy of the first Book of Hours printed in France (published less than 50 years after Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type), it fetched the tidy sum of $471,304 when the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City bought it at a Sotheby’s auction in London last November. The Book of Hours was considered a “medieval best-seller” and had a 250-year reign of popularity in Europe from about […]
You have already read your free article for this month. Please join the BAS Library or become an All Access member of BAS to gain full access to this article and so much more.
