Manuscript Leaf, from a Book of Hours

15th century

Not on view

Books of hours could be customized and made in relatively simple formats as well as luxury editions. This single leaf is a typical example of a page from a somewhat modest book of hours. Although it has a brightly colored border and touches of gilding, it is not lavishly painted. Instead of a stately formal script, the hand here is a semi-cursive minuscule variant of a more informal, "bastardized" (or bâtarde) script. The frequent use of abbreviations seems to imply that the reader was quite familiar with the prayers. This page comes from the Hours of the Holy Spirit.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Manuscript Leaf, from a Book of Hours
Date: 15th century
Culture: French
Medium: Tempera and gold leaf on parchment
Dimensions: Overall: 4 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (12.1 x 8.2 cm)
Classification: Manuscripts and Illuminations
Credit Line: Gift of Heather Butler, 2003
Object Number: 2003.493
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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