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Book of Hours
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Medieval Europe )
This large Book of Hours was created ca. 1440-50 in Bruges by the Masters of the Gold Scrolls. The original female patron was especially devoted to Franciscan and French saints, as evinced by the content of the calendar, litany, and suffrages. Although six images have been lost, the remaining seventeen miniatures and eight historiated initials are fine representations of the later work of the Gold Scrolls artists working in Bruges through ca. 1450.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Jean-Baptiste Verdussen, Anvers, mid 18th century [1]; Verdussen Sale, July 1776, no. 30; purchased by Van Merlen, Anvers, 1776 [2]. Unknown owner, France, 19th century [3]. Count Alfred Werlé, Rheims, late 19th-early 20th century [4]; Werlé Sale, Paris, February 5 1908, no. 6. Purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
[1] His bookplates (the design of which also served as his printer's device) on both front and back pastedowns, inscribed "TUTISSIMA VIRTUS PIETAS HOMINI"
[2] Recorded in Oxford copy of catalog in manuscript after p. 18
[3] "No. 28" on front flyleaf recto and contents list on front flyleaf verso
[4] His bookplate with monogram and "No. 1776" on front pastedown
Exhibitions
| 2014-2015 | From Pen to Press: Experimentation and Innovation in the Age of Print. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 1990-1991 | The Book and the Author: Portraits of the Evangelists in Eastern and Western Manuscripts. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1988 | Time Sanctified: The Book of Hours in Medieval Art and Life. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1982 | God's Minstrel: St. Francis of Assisi. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 6/27/2014 | Treatment | examined for digitization; media consolidation; splits mended |
Geographies
Belgium, Bruges
(Place of Origin)
Belgium (Place of Binding)
Measurements
Folio H: 10 1/8 × W: 6 3/4 in. (25.7 × 17.2 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
W.173