The luxury book of hours Book of hours

the lavish illusionistic borders of flemish book of hours late 1470s typical of luxury books of period, decorated on every page. butterfly wing cutting text area example of playing visual conventions, typical of period.

(among plants veronica, vinca, viola tricolor, bellis perennis, , chelidonium majus. butterfly aglais urticae. latin text devotion saint christopher).

in 14th century book of hours overtook psalter common vehicle lavish illumination. partly reflected increasing dominance of illumination both commissioned , executed laymen rather monastic clergy. late 14th century number of bibliophile royal figures began collect luxury illuminated manuscripts decorations, fashion spread across europe valois courts of france , burgundy, prague under charles iv, holy roman emperor , later wenceslaus. generation later, duke philip of burgundy important collector of manuscripts, several of circle collecting. during period flemish cities overtook paris leading force in illumination, position retained until terminal decline of illuminated manuscript in 16th century.

the famous collector of all, french prince john, duke of berry (1340–1416) owned several books of hours, of survive, including celebrated of all, très riches heures du duc de berry. begun around 1410 limbourg brothers, although left incomplete them, , decoration continued on several decades other artists , owners. same true of turin-milan hours, passed through berry s ownership.

by mid-15th century, wider group of nobility , rich businesspeople able commission highly decorated, small, books of hours. arrival of printing, market contracted sharply, , 1500 finest quality books once again being produced royal or grand collectors. 1 of last major illuminated book of hours farnese hours completed roman cardinal alessandro farnese in 1546 giulio clovio, last major manuscript illuminator.