Hours of Catherine of Cleves

The Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves (ca. 1430)

This private devotional and prayer book of Catherine of Cleves originated ca. 1430 is an exciting and artistically refined work of 15th century illumination. Concealed behind the book cover (only 19.1 x 13 cm) are 714 parchment pages with gorgeous pictures, which amaze even today with their rich detail and proximity to the lifeworld of the 15th century.

The Golden Era of Flemish Art

This especially gorgeous and lovingly made book of hours, whose origins with regard to the patron are still unknown, was probably made for Catherine of Cleves (1417–1479) since she is depicted at the beginning of the book in a miniature painting (fol. 1 verso). Her name is connected to the powerful family of the dukes of Burgundy (on the mother's side by their grandfather John the Fearless), as well as the Lower Rhine-Westphalian Duchy of Cleves, (through her father Duke Adolf II). Due to her marriage with Arnold von Egmond, the Duke of Guelders and the Baron of Zutphen, she was displaced from her sphere of action in the Netherlands, which was the center of art in the early 15th century.

An Unknown Master in Top Form

Through the commission of this manuscript, she as patron laid the cornerstone for an authoritative work of late medieval illumination in the Netherlands. The anonymous "Master of the Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves" has not only created the forerunner for such important works as the famous Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy, but also skillfully influenced the most important art movements and artists of his time and anticipated coming visual subjects like genre painting.

The Splendid Adornment

The miniatures of the Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves are characterized by their surprising pictorial inventions, which present the popular depictions of well-known scenes in a richly detailed and exciting manner, often in a sophisticated new way. Thus, one finds full-page scenes among the 157 miniatures of the book with a strong richness and an artistic composition that is no way inferior to 15th century panel painting. Additionally, there are a multitude of half-page miniatures as well as small, lovingly painted marginal scenes depicting the real lifeworld of the Late Middle Ages that are skillfully interwoven with depictions of saints, which are typical of devotional and prayer books of this time. All of this is naturally framed with ornamental frames, which appear to be the signature of the unknown artist who crafted the book. The beholder will be amazed by the gorgeous, nearly 600-year-old pictures depicted, which will surely cast a spell on any manuscript enthusiast.

A Tumultuous History

Additionally, the turbulent history of this book of hours underlines its significance. For example, the book was parted into two equal sized pieces in the late 19th century and sold to private collections, which were then acquired by New York’s Pierpont Morgan Library in 1963 and in 1970, where they were reunited together. Back in its original state, the manuscript offers the possibility of witnessing the world of Catherine of Cleves through the magnificent pictures and illustrations of an unknown Dutch master.