The Book of Hours
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The Books of Hours originated during the fifteenth century. They are
beautiful
illuminated manuscripts intended for Lords and Ladies. The books
were designed to illuminate the Holy Word of God and teachings of Christ
and assist with daily prayer and meditation. The pages overflow with ornate script and
richly embellished borders and miniature paintings. They
frequently contained the liturgical hours of the day, prayers, and
psalms. The manuscript quickly became a status symbol and all ladies of the
aristocracy were expected to own at least one.
According
to Medieval historian,
Julia De Wolf Addison, "Perhaps
more than any books executed in the better period, after the decline had
begun, were the Books of Hours, containing the numerous daily devotions
which form part of the ritual of the Roman Church. Every Page well
appointed lady was supposed to own a copy, and there is a little verse
by Eustache Deschamps, a poet of the time of Charles V., in which a
woman is supposed to be romancing about the various treasures she would
like to possess. She says:
"Hours of Our Lady should be mine,
Fitting for a noble dame,
Of lofty lineage and name;
Wrought most cunningly and quaint,
In gold and richest azure paint.
Rare covering of cloth of gold
Full daintily it shall enfold,
Or, open to the view exposed,
Two golden clasps to keep it closed."
In Medieval times book illumination materials were extremely costly, and included ground up precious stones and gold and silver leaf. The labour involved was tremendous and illustrated manuscripts often took years and sometimes decades to complete. Only the rich and powerful could afford to purchase such masterpieces. The best illuminators, such as the Limbourg Brothers, were celebrities, highly sought after. They received sumptuous gifts and money from their royal patrons. Amazingly the vivid and dazzling colors have not changed with time.
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