The
HOURS of JOANNA I
of
CASTILE
“Unique and unrepeatable first edition, strictly limited
to 987 numbered and authenticated copies”
“One of the finest examples of
early Netherlandish
f. 158v-159r, The legend of the encounter between the three living and the three dead
and the funeral procession to the church
miniature painting at its best”
The
HOURS of JOANNA I
of
CASTILE
—The British Library • London—
“Unique and unrepeatable first edition, strictly limited
to 987 numbered and authenticated copies”
The illuminations in this exceptional Book of Hours are the work of Gerard Horenbout, the leading Flemish illuminator of the 16th century, and Alexander (Sanders)
Bening and his atelier, which provided thirty-seven miniatures (twenty-four of them
half-page miniatures in the Suffrages of the Saints). Horenbout and his workshop, on
the other hand, provided thirty-eight large paintings, and his atelier perhaps also illuminated the elaborate calendar, with its twelve bas-de-pages illustrating the labours
of each month.
Gerard Horenbout (identified with the Master of James IV of Scotland) was the
finest illuminator of his time. His paintings are characterised by the use of lavish colours, of light and shade, and imaginary, decorative effects. He paid particular attention
to depicting the adequate setting for each scene, enhancing pathos in the narrative of
crucial events such as the Passion of Christ. This determination to depict nature in full
detail is possibly an influence from the oeuvre of the great Flemish masters such as the
van Eyck brothers and Hugo van der Goes.
One of the most relevant – and innovative – features of the Hours of Joanna I of
Castile, is the creation of the illuminated two-page opening: text basically disappears and
the narrative scene takes pride of place. Although two individual scenes are represented,
matching borders – often depicting everyday objects such as flowers, jewels and luxury
textiles – strengthen each opening’s impression of visual unity.
The Hours of Joanna I of Castile is an outstanding manuscript, worthy of a queen.
Margaret of Austria may have commissioned it possibly as a present for a particularly
important event, such as the marriage of the future queen of Castile (who was also very
fond of illuminated, Flemish manuscripts) to Margaret’s brother, Philip the Fair.
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• Shelf mark: Add. Ms. 35313
• Date: c. 1500
• Provenance: Ghent
• Size: ± 237 x 168 mm
• 482 illuminated pages and 75 full-page illuminations
• Bound in brown leather decorated with gold
• Full-colour commentary volume (432 p.)
by Carlos Miranda (Doctor in History)
f. 4r, Calendar, June
f. 34r, Tower of Babel
f. 134v, The Final Judgment
f. 57r, Moses before the burning bush with Gideon’s fleece
f. 204v, Prayers in memory of the Passion
f. 214v, St Andrew
f. 223v, Saint George
f. 232v, Saint Catherine
THE BINDING PROCESS
Cutting the leather
All our editions are first, unique and unrepeatable,
limited to 987 numbered copies certified by notary public.
Checking of the folio number
Sewing of the quires
Stamping the ribs
Headbanding and cut
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UK +44 (0)20 7193 4986 • USA 1305 831 4986
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Travesera de Gracia, 17-21
08021 Barcelona - Spain
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