Book of Hours

This Book of Hours was created ca.1460-70 in the Bruges region by artists influenced by the famous illuminator Willem Vrelant. Its fifteen surviving miniatures have been heavily repainted, as have many of the borders, and Lillian Randall has suggested this campaign of refurbishment was likely requested by a later owner who may be depicted in the fully redone Last Judgment image (fol. 124v). The limited number of figures, simplification of drapery folds, and avoidance of painting hands where possible show the streamlining used by workshops in this period, which were generating large numbers of similar books (see, for example, also W.177, W.180, W.181, and W.774).

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Edouard Rahir (firm of Damascène Morgand), Paris, ca. 1900 [1]; purchased by unknown owner, Paris, 1901 [2]. Acquired by Peter Marié, New York; Peter Marié Sale, New York, lot no. 561, 1903 [3]. Acquired by George Richmond, New York, 1903 (?) [4]. Purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1] His inventory number "26005" on front flyleaf i, v
[2] "Bt of Morgand [Paris] July 1901 for 2000 [francs]" inscribed on front flyleaf i, v
[3] See inscription on front flyleaf i, v
[4] Likely his mark in pencil "efx" on back flyleaf iv, r