Title: Hours of Notre Dame

Description

Books of hours are collections of prayers used for private devotion. They were the most common illuminated works of the Middle Ages. Heures de Notre-Dame (The book of hours of Notre Dame) was made in Bruges (present-day Belgium) around 1470. The manuscript, written in Latin and on vellum, is most likely the work of William Wyelant or his studio. Wyelant, also known by the Flemish spelling of his name, Willem Vrelant, was an influential illuminator who was active in Bruges from 1449 until his death in 1481. The leaves of the manuscript are decorated with numerous ornamental initials, historiated letters (with figures of people, flowers, animals, or birds), and decorated borders. The English binding dates from the early 18th century. The manuscript is unfortunately incomplete; about 26 leaves have been removed.