Leaf from Aussem Hours: Prayers of Saint Gregory, Mocking of Christ, with Illusionistic Jewelry in Margins
(Manuscripts and Rare Books)
This illuminated page comes from a sixteenth-century book of hours. The manuscript was made for the Aussem family in Cologne, Germany, a provenance proclaimed through family heraldry within the manuscript, as well as the arms of Cologne stamped on its original leather binding. Lavishly illuminated throughout with full-page miniatures and historiated initials, the manuscript is just as notable for the marginal decorations that surround the figurative scenes. Illusionistic jewelry, architecture, texts, flowers, and insects abound.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Aussem family, Cologne, early sixteenth century [1]; Marshall C. Lefferts Collection, New York, before 1901; purchased by George H. Richmond collection, New York, 1901. Acquired by Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
[1] fol. 58v coat of arms, fol. 82v kneeling donor
Exhibitions
2016-2017 | A Feast for the Senses: Art and Experience in Medieval Europe. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota. |
Geographies
Germany, Cologne (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 6 1/2 × W: 4 3/4 in. (16.5 × 12.1 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.437.64R