Books of Hours

Book of Hours: Annunciation to the Shepherds ca. 1500-10; Illuminations attributed to the Master of the David Scenes in the Grimani Breviary and his Workshop (active Bruges, first quarter of the 16th century); binding signed by Lodovicus Bloc (Flemish, active in Bruges, 1494-1529); Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment with leather binding; 237 folios, each folio 8.1 x 5.5 cm (3 1/4 x 2 1/4 in.); Founders Society Purchase, Membership and Metropolitan Opera Funds; 63.146

Beginning in the late 12th century secular Christians could mark the passage of the day with the reading of prayers from a book called the Book of Hours. Based on the Breviary used by Christian religious orders and clergy, the Book of Hours included a calendar marked with holidays (here we see the Annunciation to the Sheperds) and the names of saints to be commemorated on each day of the year; a series of prayers in honor of the Virgin Mary to be read at set times of the day; and other prayers and readings. Compact in size, these books were originally handwritten by professional scribes.

from Les Tres Riches Heures

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