Incunabular Book of Hours in Latin and French Illuminated for the Condotiere Ferrante d'Este

Incunabular Book of Hours in Latin and French Illuminated for the Condotiere Ferrante d'Este

The so-called Incunabular Book of Hours of Ferrante d’Esteis a true masterpiece of early book-printing. This book of hours adhering to the Roman liturgy was made in the great tradition of illumination by Simon Vostre in Paris. The 190 pages of the book are pictorially adorned all over: 48 miniatures, 18 of them full-page, and 182 splendid frames with small image medallions constitute the lavish book adornment of this incunabula. The prints were wonderfully colored and accompany the text in two languages: Latin and French. The owner of this magnificent and precious edition was Ferrante d’Este, a scion of the famous noble family of Ferrara.

A Masterpiece by Vostre and Pigochet

This impressive attestation of early printing is stored in the Spanish National Library in Madrid. The book of hours arose in the year 1496 in the Parisian workshop of Philippe Pigouchet – dated August 20th, 1496 exactly. Pigouchet was one of the most important French printers of the late 15th century and worked together with Simon Vostre. Simon Vostre, a significant book dealer and publisher, also produced this book of hours together with Pigouchet.

A Printed Book of Hours

This incunabular book of hours – the Heures à l´usage de Rome – originates from the greatest tradition of medieval manuscripts. It represents therewith a gorgeous connection between old and new, of the great book art of the Middle Ages and the innovative technique of book printing. The tradition of handwritten books of hours, as they had conventionally been for centuries, was continued in this way!

A Colorful Specimen for the Italian Nobleman

This specimen from the Spanish National Library was in the possession of Ferrante d’Este. Ferrante d’Este (1477–1540), the son of Ercole d’Este (1431–1505), the Duke of Ferrara, was descended from the significant Italian aristocratic family of Este. The masterful prints in his personal edition of the book of hours are gorgeously and elaborately colored. Additionally, the book of hours contains the text of the Psalms, prayers, and other content in two languages: French was also written down alongside the Latin text!

Decoration Rich with Imagery

Of the 190 pages of the incunabular book of hours, 48 are adorned with miniatures, 18 of them full-page. Additionally, 182 gorgeous and elaborate frames are worthy of mention, which adorn picture- and text-pages alike. The picture-pages are filled to capacity with figurative scenes and ornamentation. A large primary miniature in the middle is always surrounded by a broad frame, in which additional smaller scenes are integrated. Architectural elements and floral ornamentation build these frames, with which the pages of text are also elaborately adorned. The countless small scenes in compartmentalized paintings were colored with great skill.