Flowers, fruits, and gemstones: a Flemish masterpiece from three unknown masters
Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94
Bruges (Belgium) — Around 1500

Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94
Bruges (Belgium) — Around 1500
This small, splendid codex is the work of three anonymous Flemish masters from ca. 1500
The 39 full-page miniatures resemble panel paintings embellished with gold leaf
Flowers, fruits, animals, insects, and gemstones populate the miniature and calendar pages

Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94
June: Shearing Sheep
The wool trade gave rise to proto-industries uniting regions of Europe as distant as Scotland and Tuscany, with the Low Countries being the center of the network. Shearing sheep was often done in June, and as such it is featured in this bas-de-page miniature as the labor of the month. A sheep lies calmly on a deep blue blanket before a man kneeling on the ground with a wide-brimmed straw hat and sheers as he puts wool into a large basket, next to which a woman stands holding the next sheep.
Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94
- Book of Hours from Bruges
- Stundenbuch aus Brügge
- Heures de Bruges
Short Description
The Book of Hours from Bruges originates from Bruges at the end of the 15th century or beginning of the 16th century. Three talented illuminators illustrated the manuscript, which is collected in a hand-sized codex. The work contains 39 full-page illustrations, numerous golden miniatures, and astonishingly realistic bordures that adorn the page margins.
The Book of Hours from Bruges
In the Middle Ages, Flanders was a stronghold of manuscript book art. Nowhere else was there such a great density of talented masters. The illustrated codices from Belgium were coveted across all of Europe and served the masters from other regions as examples. The particularity of Flemish illumination is that the miniatures have as monumental of an effect as paintings. The miniature painters were guided in their labor by the artistic works of the Old Dutch Masters, Rogier van der Weyden for example. As a consequence, every miniature became its own small work of art. A special treasure of Flemish illumination is the so-called Book of Hours from Bruges. The work is a small handbook containing 39 full-page miniatures, which are exceedingly embellished with gold. The pages of text were ennobled through the use of gold initials framed with imaginative bordures.
A Mysterious Codex
It is not known exactly who is responsible for the genesis of the Flemish book of hours. Judging by the illustrations, three illuminators are possible, their names are nonetheless unknown. A specific commissioner for the book can also not be determined today. To be sure, the expensive decoration of the codex indicates a wealthy recipient. Books of hours were beloved first and foremost by the nobility in the Middle Ages. In particular, the French nobility coveted the private prayer books, which they used for prayer and meditation at specific times a day. French dukes obtained their valuable codices almost exclusively from Belgium.
Three Flemish Masters
The Book of Hours from Bruges originates from Flanders at the end of the 15th century or beginning of the 16th century. Three gifted masters worked on it together, unfortunately none of their names are known. One artist embellished the text of the work, which is contained in fine French Gothic calligraphy. He produced hundreds of initials, all designed in polished gold. The second artist illustrated 24 stylish calendar sheets. The third artist added bordures with an immeasurable variety of patterns to the pages. The colorful, vivid bordures show flowers, fruits, animals, insects, and valuable gemstones. The depictions were illustrated with great exactness and passion for detail so that they seem almost tangible.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Book of Hours from Bruges
Stundenbuch aus Brügge
Heures de Bruges - Size / Format
- 490 pages / 9.3 x 7.3 cm
- Origin
- Bruges (Belgium)
- Date
- Around 1500
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 39 full-page miniatures, numerous flowers, animals and drolleries
- Artist / School
- Three different illuminators

Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94
Adoration of the Magi
One of the most popular scenes from the Life of Christ presented in an unusual manner, namely with regard to the Magi themselves. Usually depicted as old men with long beards and crowns or exotic oriental hats, here they are depicted as young Renaissance princes. They are clean shaven with haircuts and fashionable clothes befitting young noblemen ca. 1500.
These decisions were likely made by the artist for stylistic reasons, which would explain why the guiding star that is so crucial to their story is neglected. The scene is depicted in the day, presumably to allow for the artful depiction of the clouds in the sky. All of this is contained within a golden frame filled with flowers, insects, and birds that is exemplary for the period.
2 available facsimile edition(s) of „Bruges Hours Vat. Ross. 94“
Stundenbuch aus Brügge
- Publisher
- Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1996
- Limited Edition
- 900 copies
- Binding
- Leather
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Luigi Michelini Tocci
Language: German - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Stundenbuch aus Brügge
- Publisher
- Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1983
- Binding
- Leather
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Luigi Michelini Tocci
Language: German - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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