Description
This Book of Hours illuminated ca. 1470 contains stunning examples of full-page miniatures in the style of Willem Vrelant, most likely originating in Bruges. Given that several prayer cycles contain indications of a female suppliant, as well as a majority female saints in the litany, the book was either owned or co-owned by a woman. The artist or artists have chosen to alternate between color and near-grisaille miniatures throughout the text and the calendar, making for a strikingly varied program of images.
Provenance
Likely owned by Eleanor of Portugal (1458-1525, wife of John II) [1]. Clerical ownership, Santiago, ca. 1600 [2]. Léon Gruel, Paris, late 19th-early 20th century [3]; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
[1] Ownership inscription on front pastedown: Este libro foi da rainha/dona lianor nao se po/ de dar de fora so pe/na de escommunhao
[2] Inscription added on front pastedown by 1600: Fr. Luis de S[an]tiago
[3] Modern pencil inscriptions on front pastedown read "Add. Ms. 12" and "N 815"; same numbers occur on Gruel's handwritten sales slip