Spinola Hours (Ancient Illumination) Ultra Lined Softcover Flexi Journal

The Spinola Hours is a 16th-century Flemish manuscript known for its visually sophisticated naturalistic illusionism and luxurious design, commissioned for a wealthy patron, possibly Margaret of Austria. It includes a calendar of Church holidays, the Hours of the Virgin, the Office for the Dead, and other prayers, hymns, and readings, with a special series of weekday offices and masses for additional illuminations. It is now part of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collaborative collection.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Paperblanks

The Spinola Hours, a lavish personal prayer book from the 16th century, stands as a remarkable testament to the visual sophistication of Flemish manuscripts. This extraordinary manuscript showcases a series of awe-inspiring naturalistic illusions that transport the reader into a world of artistic wonder. Comprising a diverse range of texts, including a calendar of Church holidays, the Hours of the Virgin (a cycle of prayer services dedicated to the Virgin Mary), the Office for the Dead, and various prayers, hymns, and readings, the Spinola Hours offers an extensive collection of spiritual content.

However, this particular example takes its richness to new heights by incorporating a special series of weekday offices and masses. These additional elements provide an abundance of opportunities for lavish illuminations, adding an extra layer of visual splendor to the manuscript. It is believed that the Spinola Hours was commissioned for a wealthy patron, possibly Margaret of Austria, for whom the Master of James IV of Scotland, a renowned manuscript illuminator and painter, created other remarkable works.

Over the years, the Spinola Hours passed through the hands of various owners, including the Spinola family in Genoa, from whom it derived its modern name. Today, it holds a prestigious place in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, where it is proudly showcased as part of a collaborative effort to preserve and share the world's cultural heritage. The Spinola Hours is a testament to the artistic prowess and craftsmanship of the Flemish Renaissance, and its visual splendor continues to captivate and inspire audiences to this day.

Dimension: 230 x 180 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439793916