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The Clifford Collection
Book of Hours is a small volume, measuring 194 mm x 140 mm, and is believed to
have been produced around 14411460. Vellum pages have been bound in
sixteenth-century calfskin stretched over boards featuring a double panel of
floral arabesque stamped ruling. Its 126 folios are illuminated with 26 large,
and nine smaller, miniatures.
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Unknown Artist Christ being
nailed to the Cross (65r.) Book of Hours circa 1450, Flemish
Illuminated Manuscript vellum; 19.5 x 14 cm Clifford Collection MS
1097/9 |
The texts are divided
into the three basic sections found in Books of Hours. First are the essential
texts, extracted from the Breviary: the calendar, the Hours of the Virgin with
the Hours of the Cross interspersed, the Penitential Psalms, the Litany, the
Office of the Dead and the Suffrages of the Saints.
Secondary texts extend
the books devotional scope, and include the account of the Passion
according to St John and two very popular prayers to the Virgin, the Obsecro te
(I implore thee) and O Intermerata (O Matchless
One).
A third elementthe
accessory textsinclude a set of prayers on the Passion known as the
Fifteen Os of St Brigit and the Psalter of St Jerome, which is now
missing.
Overall the text
emphasizes penitence and the absolution of sin as being possible through the
intercessory powers of the saints and of Mary, mother of Christ.
The miniatures measure 96
mm x 70 mm and are framed in gold and black with serrated apical arches. The
images within are painted in shades of blue, grey, yellow, scarlet, dull pink,
green and white and their features are penned in with a free hand. Gold leaf
has been used to highlight haloes and for background decoration.
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Unknown Artist Flagellation
(42r.) Book of Hours circa 1450, Flemish Illuminated
Manuscript vellum; 19.5 x 14 cm Clifford Collection MS 1097/9
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The illuminated images
were designed to direct and sustain a persons meditation on their own
spiritual health. The images trace the events of Christs crucifixion and
develop the late medieval theme of an accessible and humane Christ, sympathetic
to the temptations and pains of mortal life, who has the compassion and power
to redeem all repentant sinners. This series of illuminations accompanies the
Hours of the Virgin and the Hours of the Cross. The association of text and
image in the Passion cycle (the death of Christ) allow the medieval reader of
the Book of Hours to celebrate the life of Christ and appeal to the compassion
of the Virgin Maryhere depicted as the mother of a human Christ, and the
mother of the Church.
Mary is represented as an
important intercessor between the medieval readers soul and Christ the
Redeemer. These images ask for the protection of the layperson in earthly life
and appeal to both Christs and Marys direct knowledge of human
suffering, as depicted in the Passion cycle.(Christ on the Cross, 46r). The
readers hope is that on the Last Day (the Resurrection of the Dead) both
Christ and Mary will not only remember the devotions made, but also recall the
adversities the individual has overcome in order to lead a good Christian life.
The manner in which the
reader may lead a virtuous Christian life is also described through the
representations of the saints in the miniatures. These images encourage the
reader to emulate the saints praying for the souls of others and leading a life
balancing social ideals with humility and penitence.
By tracing out an ideal
devotional day in the text and images for the medieval layperson the Clifford
collection Book of Hours provides guidelines for an individuals path
through life. The well-worn and stained edges of particular pages provide an
idea of which images and prayers gave the most comfort and direction for the
owner of this particular Book of Hours. Whether on public display or meditated
upon privately, the Book of Hours was a catalyst for prayer and moral
excellence: it acted as a guide to livinga devotional pilgrimage to help
the soul in living a good life and preparing for a good death. |