The Hours of the Flemish Masters
The Hours of the Flemish Masters
InquiryThe Hours of the Flemish Masters
This phantastic manuscript was made for Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504), also called Isabella the Catholic. Isabella, together with her husband, King Ferdinand V, is now known through her association with Christopher Columbus and the „discovery“ of the American continent.
On the first page of the manuscript the shield and the logo of Isabella and Ferdinand can be found and as such confirm them as the owners. However, it is still not clear who commissioned the work and out of which reason.
Most sources think that it could have been a late wedding gift or a consolation gift due to the death of one of Isabella’s and Ferdinand’s sons.
THE EXQUISITELY ENRICHED MINIATURES
The Hours of the Flemish Masters are undoubtedly one of the most elegant Flemish manuscripts of the Renaissance. The manuscript was created in the 15th century in Bruges and Ghent in a collaboration between the most renowned Flemish book painters of their time. On 558 pages in the format of 23.5 x 17.3 cm there are 40 exquisitely decorated full-page miniatures, 10 half-page miniatures and 24 calendar medallions as well as more than 300 border decorations.
THE FLEMISH MASTERS
Detailed trompe-l‘oeil decorations, expressive miniatures, brilliant colors and lush landscapes: originated at a time when Flemish miniatures were highly popular all over Europe, the opulent Hours of the Flemish Masters are a true masterpiece of its genre – its iconographic and decorative apparatus represents a highlight of the famous Flemish style. The manuscript originates from the workshops of the most famous painters of the Ghent-Bruges school, and was made for Queen Isabella I of Castile, a great admirer of Flemish book art.
FLOWER DECORATION AS TROMPE-L’OEIL
This sumptuous codex, besides its masterly miniatures, is characterized by its edge decorations, composed of a variety of flowers in a loose streak pattern, wavy acanthus leaves, birds and butterlies. These realistic elements cast shadows on the colored grounds of the edges, which give rise to a trompe-l’oeil effect; a significant innovation of the painters of the Ghent-Bruges school.
THE EDITION
It is not known what Happened with the book of Hours after Isabella’s death in 1504. Only in the late 19th Century traces of the Manuskript are to be recovered, when they reappear in the collection of Baron Edmond de Rothschild in Paris, member of the powerful Banker family Rothschild. In 1963 it was then acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland, USA), where it is to be found under the bookshelf MS 21/63.256. The excellent condition of the original manuscript makes this facsimile edition of the Book of Hours an exceptional joy for bibliophiles.
Characteristics
The Hours of the Flemish Masters | |
| Creation Year | 15th century |
| Place of Origin | Bruges ans Ghent |
| Library | Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland |
| Signature | MS 21/63.256 |
| Extent | 558 pages |
| Miniatures | 40 full-page, 10 half-page miniatures und 24 calendar Medallions |
| Language | |
| Type of Manuscript | Manuscript |
| Genre | Book of Hours |
Die Edition
The Hours of the Flemish Masters | |
| Format | 23,5cm x 17,3cm |
| Publisher | Faksimile Verlag |
Questions and Answers
For whom was the Book of Hours created, and what is known about its commissioner?
The Book of Hours was created for Queen Isabella I of Castile, also known as Isabella the Catholic. The identity of its commissioner remains unclear; it may have been a belated wedding gift or a gesture of solace following the death of one of her sons.
What elements on the first page indicate the ownership of Isabella and Ferdinand?
The coat of arms and motto of Isabella and Ferdinand displayed on the first page confirm their ownership of the manuscript.
Why is the Book of Hours considered a masterpiece of Flemish book art?
The Book of Hours features exquisite miniatures, intricate border decorations, and remarkable trompe-l'œil effects. It exemplifies the virtuosity of the Ghent-Bruges School and Renaissance Flemish artistry.
What traditional texts are contained within the Book of Hours?
It includes canonical texts such as the Office of the Virgin, the Office of the Dead, penitential psalms, the litany, and various prayers, all adorned with elaborate illuminations and embellishments.
How has the Book of Hours been preserved over the centuries?
After Isabella's death in 1504, the manuscript’s whereabouts remained unknown until it resurfaced in the late 19th century within the collection of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. In 1963, it was acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently housed.
What are the distinguishing features of the Ghent-Bruges School’s artistry?
The Ghent-Bruges School is renowned for its vivid colour palette, illusionistic effects, intricate landscapes, and emotionally expressive miniatures that masterfully depict both sacred and secular narratives.
What makes the borders of the Book of Hours particularly distinctive?
The borders showcase floral motifs, acanthus leaves, birds, and butterflies rendered with lifelike precision. Their shadows create a trompe-l'œil effect, a pioneering innovation of the Ghent-Bruges School.
