Grisaille Book of Hours

This pocket-sized Book of Hours was created ca. 1460-70 in Bruges, and its artist appears to have been influenced by the famed Flemish illuminator Willem Vrelant. Most notable are the thirteen delicate grisaille (gray tone) miniatures, with their matching foliate borders. Although the original owner remains unknown, an early inscription reveals that the book was gifted by an Italian lady to her female cousin within a few generations of its creation. Other manuscripts in the collection with related textual and codicological features include W.177, W.179, and W.183.

Provenance

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

Unknown Italian female owner, 15th or 16th century [1]. Unknown English owner, 19th or early 20th century [2]. Gruel and Engelmann, Paris, early 20th century [3]; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, early 20th century; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1] Inscription on fol. 195v records the book being gifted by Italian lady to her cousin: "Dy madonna angora gentili et questo libro arri cordateui delle uostre cusine chare Le quale senpre auo sera comandano"
[2] Pencil inscription in English noting the loss of two miniatures on back pastedown
[3] Their bookplate numbered "126" on front pastedown