Hours of the Virgin, Vellum, woodcut borders, Paris
- MA 59 | B01-F04
- Folder
- 1496
Leaf from the Book of Hours (Use of Rome) that was printed by Philippe Pigouchet for Simon Vostre in Paris, France, 1496. The leaf is of velum and decorated with metal cuts along the edges. This is an incunabula leaf as it is printed rather than handwritten. The recto contains 27 printed lines with hand painted rubricated and historiated initials and rectangular ornamentation in red, blue, and gold. The metal cuts depict scenes regarding the crucifixion and Jesus visiting Mary afterward. The verso has 27 lines and does not include hand painted ornamentations. The metal cuts depict scenes of Jesus and his apostles. The Book of Hours include psalms, lessons, hymns, and devotional prayers said at each of the eight canonical hours: Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. The Book of Hours was the bestselling book of the Middle Ages.