Book of Hours of Ippolita Maria Sforza
This particularly artistically sophisticated book of hours was commissioned by Ippolita Maria Sforza (1446–1484). She belonged to the famous Sforza family, who ruled Lombardy from 1450 to 1535 as the dukes of Milan. For the book’s artistic furnishings, she engaged the painter and illuminator Jean Bourdichon (ca. 1457–1521), considered to be one of the most important artists of the Early French Renaissance. He embellished nearly all of the 300 pages with his intensely colorful and radiant miniatures, sweeping initials, and richly detailed bordures. Hundreds of plants and animals join the primary figures of biblical stories. As a result, the book of hours is nearly a complete medieval bestiary.
Book of Hours of Ippolita Maria Sforza
A book of hours is a layperson’s prayer and devotional book for the liturgy of the hours. These were especially popular among rich and literate nobles in the Late Middle Ages. An outstanding example thereof was commissioned by Ippolita Maria Sforza (1446–1484). She was a member of the Sforza family, who ruled Lombardy from 1450 to 1535 as the dukes of Milan. The illuminated manuscript originated ca. 1495–1504 in the French capital of Paris. The beholder finds full- or half-page miniatures, historiated initials, and decorative bordures on nearly all of its 300 pages. Moreover, the richness of the plants and animals is noteworthy, resembling a complete bestiary.
A French Illuminator
Jean Bourdichon, born in tours ca. 1457, is responsible for the intensely colorful book decoration. As one of the most significant artists of the Early Renaissance, he worked for the French kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, and Louis XII. Unfortunately, since only a few of his works have survived, the Book of Hours of Ippolita Maria Sforza represents a true rarity. The elegant style of the illuminator is distinguished by its fine painting style – he repeats short brush strokes over and over again. In doing so, he is able to achieve plasticity and thus describe the materiality of various matter. Garments thus appear soft and flowing, while the metallic armor has an iron glisten.
Atmospheric Landscapes
With Bourdichon, the typical execution of a gold background corresponds to an impressive landscape depiction. Whether merely serving as a background or not, the artist devotes serious attention to them. He reproduces a small fishing boat on a calm sea. Both castles and small cities are indicated on the highly coats. All of this is draped in blue evening light. In the miniature of the Betrayal, Bourdichon even augments the clear night sky with scattered stars.
A Rich World of Plants and Animals
Hundreds of depictions of plants and animals accompany the primary figures, not only in the markedly beautiful bordures, but also in the miniatures themselves. Thus, John the Evangelist appears accompanied by a splendid eagle. It sits to the left of John with an open beak and arrayed plumage. All things considered, the biodiversity of the animals depicted is so great that in this regard that the book of hours resembles a complete medieval bestiary. In doing so, it is a fable allegorically connecting the moralizing characteristics of animals with the Christian doctrine of salvation.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Hours of Hippolyta of Aragon
Libro d'ore di Ippolita d'Aragona
Stundenbuch der Ippolita Maria Sforza
Grandes Horas de Montserrat - Size / Format
- 300 pages / 19.5 × 13.0 cm
- Origin
- France
- Date
- Ca. 1495–1504
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Script
- Gothic Textura
- Illustrations
- Nearly all of the 300 pages of the manuscript are furnished with either full- or half-page miniatures, historiated initials and decorative borders with hundreds of plants, and a complete medieval bestiary.
- Content
- Book of Hours with texts for private devotion
- Patron
- Ippolita d’Aragona
- Artist / School
- Jean Bourdichon (ca. 1457–1521)
- Previous Owners
- Ippolita d’Aragona
Book of Hours of Ippolita Maria Sforza
Pilate Washing his Hands
This is an exemplary specimen of French Renaissance illumination: Christ is shown bleeding from multiple wounds and crowned with thorns as one of the guards points to him. Helmets and spears indicate a throng of soldiers behind them. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” (Matt. 27:24).

Book of Hours of Ippolita Maria Sforza
Portrait of John the Evangelist
Jean Bourdichon created some of the most splendid Evangelist portraits, including this miniature of St. John, the youngest of the Twelve Apostles. He is depicted here as a beardless youth with rosy cheeks and long hair – such feminized depictions were possibly intended to make him more relatable to women, especially in works intended for female patrons like this.
Flanked by his symbolic eagle, John’s purple tunic and red cloak are highlighted by the delicate application of gold leaf, with golden rays of divine inspiration coming down from above. The background consists of the Sea of Galilee, where he fished with his brother, James the Apostle. An illusionistic gold frame gives the miniature the appearance of a panel painting.

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