Rouen Book of Hours

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his 15th century Marian Book of Hours has all the characteristics of the golden age of French manuscript illumination: in the landscapes and perspective, the light and the colour of the draperies with details highlighted in gold, and gold backgrounds to the borders.

The manuscript was attributed recently to the Master of the Rouen Echevinage. The rich decoration of the margin includes not only foliage - some stylised, some naturalistic - but also a variety of fruits and flowers, animals and human figures, with an obvious feeling for nature.

The lower parts of the calendar pages, as in many 15th century books of hours, bear country scenes appropriate to the corresponding months; these are an important documentary source, and confirmation of the artistic excellence of this Book of Hours.

The original is conserved in the National Library of Lisbon, catalogued as Illuminated 42.

It was purchased by the National Library from its owner in the 19th century, Don Francisco de Melo Manuel (Cabrinha).

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