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Book of Hours

Book of Hours

Artist/Maker (Flemish, active 1454–1481)
Dateca. 1450–80
MediumIron gall and red inks, tempera and gold leaf on parchment
DimensionsOverall (leaves): 6 7/8 × 4 15/16 in. (17.5 × 12.6 cm)
Overall (book): 7 3/16 × 5 1/8 × 1 3/4 in. (18.2 × 13 × 4.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Carl Spitzer
Object number1942.137
Status
Not on view
More Information
Medieval books of hours brought together psalms, prayers, and other sacred texts for private devotional use by Catholics. The presence of several English saints in this Flemish volume, such as Edward of England, Oswald of York, and Edith of Wilton, suggests it was produced for an English market. A miniature of Saint Thomas à Becket and an accompanying prayer were defaced after King Henry VIII banned the saint's cult in 1538 as part of his attempt to eradicate Catholicism in England. Becket, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury, was martyred in 1170 after clashing with King Henry II over royal authority within the Church.
Exhibition History
Books of Revelation: Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts from Oberlin College Collections
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 31, 1995 - April 9, 1995 )
Out of Albion: British Art from the Allen Memorial Art Museum
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (August 26, 2008 - December 23, 2008 )
Private Prayer, Public Performance: Religious Books of the Later Middle Ages and Renaissance
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 29, 2013 - June 30, 2013 )
Collections
  • European
The AMAM continually researches its collection and updates its records with new findings.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.