Liber Horarum Rothomagensis

The Liber Horarum Rothomagensis casts a spell on the beholder with its 48 full-page miniatures altogether. Adding to it are radiant floral décor and hundreds of gilded initials and calendar pages. The count of more than 1,000 figures, animals, and plants that enliven the miniatures is additionally impressive. The text of the book contains the liturgy of the hours. These were intended for the laity above all, but clerics also belonged among the recipients of book of hours later on. Unfortunately in this case, nothing certain can be said about its patron, but its precious décor indicates that they must have originated from the circles of rich and literate nobles.

A Book with Secrets

The question of the artist responsible for the splendid miniatures remains equally open. What can be known for certain, is that he was active in the Rouen school in northern France. We could possibly be dealing with the master of the Petrarch’s Trionfi and the Hours of Anne de Bretagne. Chronologically, the book of hours can be dated to the 15th or early 16th century.

The Mother of God at the Center

One thing will quickly become clear to the beholder of the welcoming miniatures: the rich image cycle is focused on the Virgin Mary. The artist devotes particular attention to her, in that he mostly consigns the central position to her. In the Nativity scene, she stands in the foreground with clearly youthful beauty, in contrast to the old-looking Joseph. Her luxurious cloak not only takes up much of the visual space, but also touches the naked boy turned toward her.

Favorite Color: Gold

There is gold wherever one looks. The uniqueness of the manuscript is surely because of its remarkably rich gold décor. Nonetheless, it is not only the initials and bordures that are thus accentuated, but also the miniatures themselves. The contour drawing of the garments, halos, and other visual elements are furnished with gold. That the artist realized such a breathtaking effect is a particular means of expressing its value.