Book of Hours of Gregory XIII

Pope Gregory XIII (1502–85) commissioned the Gregorian calendar, which is still the internationally accepted civil calendar
Gregory XIII was a great patron of the arts and sciences as well as an avid supporter of the newly formed Jesuits
The codex exhibits French influences and is adorned with gold, richly colored foliage, flowers, animals, and figures

Book of Hours of Gregory XIII

ms. vat. lat. 3767 Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, Vatican City State)

Description

Book of Hours of Gregory XIII

The Book of Hours of Gregory XIII is among the most sumptuous examples of its kind. It dates to around 1500, a time when printing was gaining momentum, while book illumination was simultaneously experiencing a final great flowering, thanks to bibliophile patrons of high standing. This Book of Hours was created for just such an individual. A depiction of a pilgrim at the feet of the enthroned Virgin and Child may represent the patron, who nevertheless remains anonymous. He must, in any case, have been extremely wealthy, as he commissioned his Book of Hours to be illuminated throughout with gold and magnificent images by at least three leading masters of the time. The text, written in calligraphic perfection on costly parchment, is embellished with gold-decorated ornamental initials and line fillers. In dozens of borders with opulent gold grounds, countless depictions of mythical creatures, animals, and biblical figures can be found. 40 large miniatures continue to captivate viewers to this day. Given such splendor, it is no wonder that, in the late 16th century, the manuscript also enchanted the famous calendar reformer Pope Gregory XIII (1502–1585), who donated it to the Vatican Library in 1578 and to whom it owes its name.

Book of Hours of Gregory XIII

Famous for commissioning and being the namesake of the Gregorian calendar, which continues to serve as the internationally accepted civil calendar today, Pope Gregory XIII (1502–85) was also a great patron of the arts and sciences as well as an avid supporter of the newly formed Jesuits. As such, he is considered to be one of the most important popes of the modern age. The Pope’s personal book of hours is one of the finest specimens of its kind to survive to the present, which has been wonderfully preserved thanks to the fact that he donated the codex to the Vatican Library on November 5th, 1578, where it has remained ever since. The décor exhibits French influences and is adorned with gold, richly colored foliage, flowers, animals, and figures. Mostly concerned with scenes from the lives of saints and the Gospels, the text is adorned with elegant initials and fantastic miniatures from a team of artists.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Stundenbuch Papst Gregors XIII.
Libro d'Ore di Gregorio XIII
Uffizio della B. V. Maria
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 284 pages / 24.9 × 18.0
Origin: France
Date: Ca. 1500
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Renaissance
Gothic
Genre: Private Devotion Books
Language: Latin
French
Script: Gothic Textura
Illustrations: 1 full-page miniature, 37 three-quarter-page miniatures, 2 half-page miniatures, 40 full borders, 49 three-quarter borders, dozens of smaller borders, and numerous ornamental initials
Content: Calendar, Gospel sequences, prayers, Matin and Lauds of the Hours of the Virgin, suffrages, Hours of the Cross and Hours of the Compassion of the Virgin mixed, Hours of the Holy Spirit, Penitential Psalms, Office of the Dead, prayers
Artist / School: Master of Philippa of Guelders
Jean Coene IV
Gotha Master
Previous Owners: Pope Gregory XIII

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro d'Ore di Gregorio XIII

ArtCodex – Castelvetro di Modena, 2015

Publisher: ArtCodex – Castelvetro di Modena, 2015

Limited Edition: 999 copies

Commentary: 1 volume by Claudia Montuschi, Giacomo Baroffio and Caroline Zöhl
Language: Italian

1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) The facsimile edition can be supplemented with reproductions of the following two additional documents: 1) Canon of the Reformation from 1585 2) The map of the seven churches with the destinations of the Jubilee pilgrimage of 1575

Facsimile Copy Available!

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