Beschreibung:

BOOK OF HOURS, use of Rome, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Bruges, 1420s-1440s] A delightful Bruges Book of Hours by the Gold Scrolls Master of Berlin Kunstbibliothek MS Grisebach 4; a pocket-sized commission for a female owner who is represented twice in prayer. A particularly fine example of the Masters of the Gold Scrolls style rendered on a small scale, her Hours feature carefully balanced compositions set against the customary gold scrollwork, a vibrant palette and charming populated acanthus borders. 97 x 67mm. ii + 284 + i leaves, lacking one miniature leaf but apparently otherwise complete, 14 lines, ruled space: 54 x 36mm. Eighteen full-page miniatures facing text-pages with large illuminated initials all within full borders, these borders populated with half-length angels, animals and drolleries, one-sided rinceaux borders scattered throughout (slight cropping at vertical edge, small repaired marginal tear to ff.223-226). 18th-century gilt-tooled red morocco (lacking bottom clasp). Case. Provenance : The presence of the 14 June feast of St Basil in red in the calendar suggests a Bruges origin; these Hours must have been made there for a female owner, the same lady in contemporary dress represented kneeling in prayer before the Virgin and Child (f.28v) and the Trinity (f.145v). Content : Calendar ff.1-12; Hours of the Cross ff.13v-19; Hours of the Holy Spirit ff.20v-27; Mass of the Virgin ff.28v-35; Gospel extracts ff.35v-41; Hours of the Virgin, use of Rome ff.42v-113 (lacking a miniature opening Prime); Advent Hours of the Virgin ff.114-124; Seven Penitential Psalms ff.125-138; Litany ff.138v-144; Hours of the Passion ff.145v-174; Office of the Dead ff.175v-223; Passion according to St Matthew ff.224v-241; Passion according to St Mark ff.242v-255; Passion according to St Luke ff.256v-271; Passion according to St John ff.272v-284. The subjects of the large miniatures are: Crucifixion f.13v; Pentecost f.20v; Virgin and Child f.28v; Annunciation f.42v; Visitation f.63v; Annunciation to the Shepherds f.81v; Adoration of the Magi f.87v; Massacre of the Innocents f.93v; Presentation at the Temple f.99v; Flight into Egypt f.108v; Coronation of the Virgin f.115v; Last Judgement f.126v; Throne of Grace Trinity f.145v; Funeral Mass f.175v; St Matthew f.224v; St Mark f.242v; St Luke f.256v; St John f.272v. The artist responsible for these delightful miniatures was one of the Masters of the Gold Scrolls, the leading illuminators in Bruges from around 1420 to 1450, known from their elaborate, filigree-like motifs added to neutral background. Specifically, he can be identified as the same artist who painted a Book of Hours in Berlin's Kunstbibliothek (MS Grisebach 4), who is distinguished by his inventive compositions and rich palette.