Book of Hours of the Marqués de Dos Aguas

The *Book of Hours of the Marqués de Dos Aguas * amazes with its unbelievably rich decorations with bright ornamental borders. This and the various small and large initials are lavishly adorned with gold. This work originated at the end of the 15th century at the behest of the Marqués de Dos Aguas in Valencia, and as such the manuscript represents an important testimony for the manuscript art of Spain.

Grand Manuscript for a Spanish Patron

The family of the Marqués de Dos Aguas was an important part of the aristocracy of Valencia for many centuries. Even today, one can marvel at the family palace in the modern Spanish metropolis. The family members emerged time and time again as great patrons of the arts. One Marqués de Dos Aguas commissioned this gorgeous book of hours. The artfully equipped manuscript would have served as a private devotional book. Across the 326 pages, the modern beholder can immerse oneself into a world of countless fine ornamentations that delicately adorn the Christian text. In addition, the lavish splendor of the scrolls, blossoms, and other forms of ornamentation and illustration are richly embellished with gold leaf.

Great Book Art of the 15th Century

The unknown artist, who concerned themselves with the grand, artistic embroidery of the script, is known today as the Master of the Book of Hours of the Marqués de Dos Aguas. The whole-page miniature of the Annunciation, in its impressive ambiance, harkens to the great Flemish art that dominated during this time. In doing so, the Book of Hours of the Marques de Dos Aguas is related to the Book of Hours of Dona Violante, which originated in Spain and Bruges ca. 1480.

A True Treasure for Book Enthusiasts

One page of the script is adorned with the coat of arms of the first owner. The countless extensive bordures on nearly every page are the true special feature of this book of hours. Very broadly invested and luxuriously filled with ornaments, the frames of the text practically put them in the shadows. Like a carpet, the floral elements appear alienated from the most playful forms, which are then placed in the brightest colors under the rich application of gold on the parchment paper. Aside from that, the text of small and large initials pervades, while the writing highlights importance places in gold. The very good condition of the manuscript, which today is preserved in the Biblioteca Bartolomé March in Palma de Mallorca, allows the wealth of color in the illustrations to be strikingly comprehensible today. This treasure of 15th century Spanish book art is protected by a wooden binding upholstered with silk.