Flemish Book of Hours of Marie de Medici

Flemish Book of Hours of Marie de Medici

Books of hours were probably the most popular type of book towards the end of the Middle Ages. The private devotional books were named after the prayers that were supposed to be performed at specific times of day. Every book of hours was a collection of various prayers and gospel readings, which included, among others, the Office of the Virgin, the Passion of the Christ, and the Office of the Dead. An example of particular artistic value originates from the Netherlands between 1515 and 1520, namely the Book of Hours of Marie de Medici. The codex contains three full page, painterly illustrations, 42 full page miniatures, as well as gilded initials and embellished borders on each page.

The Talented Master of the David

The illuminator, who is responsible for the ornate book of hours, is only known today by his name of convenience Master of the David Scenes in the Grimani Breviary. He was one of the greatest masters of Flemish book art, one mentions him in one breath with famous book painters Gerard Horenbout and Simon Bening. The Book of Hours of Marie de Medici is counted among the most magnificent and beautiful works of its kind. The fame of the painter and the rich colors and gilded book decoration are indicative of a wealthy commissioner. Their name, however, is not known.

An Eventful History

The Flemish Book of Hours is today known by the name of its latter owner, namely Queen Marie de Medici. The widow of the French King Henry IV, who unsuccessfully plotted against Cardinal Richelieu, was forced into exile in Brussels in 1631. Here she acquired the spectacular codex. She lived out the last years of her life in Cologne in the house of the painter Peter Paul Ruben. On the inside of the front cover it is noted that Marie left the work in Cologne, where it was probably acquired by the English book collector Francis Douce. The manuscript went to the famous Bodlein Library in Oxford with his inheritance in 1834.

Fantastic Book Painting in Bruges

The miniatures of the Flemish Book of Hours are a truly breathtaking example of Dutch book painting. All the compositions are designed in a luminous selection of colors with brushed gold. The painter staged lively stories and designed people and buildings realistically and with attention to detail. He caringly depicted the architectural achievements of the late Gothic period in particular. He conceptualized views of the squares and streets, church buildings, studios and private rooms, which take the beholder back in his time. The Flemish masters from Bruges and Ghent did not unjustly consider themselves to be the wunderkinds of book painting and after the invention of book printing their manuscripts were desired around the world.

Unique Innovations

A particular characteristic of the Book of Hours of Marie de Medici is the perspectival images spaces of the miniatures and the richly decorated borders. The gifted Master of the David commanded the spatially-perspective depictions so perfectly that he succeeds in leading the eyes of the beholder directly inward toward the spaces or landscapes. Thus, the miniatures became works of art that are in no way inferior to the paintings of the great Dutch artists. The artist succeeded in particular by highlighting the borders which surrounded the miniatures. He told further stories with the plants and insects of the elaborate borders, which referred to the theme of the primary miniature. Through his refined construction, he created a unified space from both pictures.