Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic"

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)

Bruges (Belgium) — Second half of the 15th century

Almost 3,500 colorful illustrations from the renowned Bruges workshop of Willem Vrelant: a profusely illuminated Flemish masterpiece as a precious wedding gift for Queen Isabella of Spain

  1. A royal treasure from the Spanish Golden Age, gifted to Queen Isabella (1451–1504) on her wedding day

  2. It is considered to be one of the masterpieces from the studio of Willem Vrelant (ca. 1481/2) in Bruges

  3. The work gleams with illumination: 3,487 miniatures, including 72 full-page miniatures

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic"

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (2)
Description
Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic"

The epoch of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand (1452–1516) and Isabella (1451–1504) was a golden age for Spain, both politically and culturally. One of the most elaborate testimonies to this era is the so-called Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic", which she received either as a gift from her mother-in-law Juana Enríquez (1425–68) or from her husband on the occasion of their wedding. The quality and splendor of the precious manuscript is also suitable for a queen. All 730 pages of the Book of Hours gleam with exuberant book decoration composed of filigree borders and glowing initials on golden backgrounds as well as magnificent miniatures, including 72 full-page illuminations, each of which is a small work of art in itself. The manuscript is considered one of the masterpieces from the workshop of Willem Vrelant in Bruges, one of the most outstanding miniaturists of the 15th century Flemish school. A truly exceptional treasure of late medieval book illumination!

Book of Hours of Isabel I "The Catholic"

The epoch of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella was a golden age for Spain, both politically and culturally. One of the treasures of this epoch is the so-called Book of Hours of Queen Isabella of Castile, which the Queen received either as a gift from her mother-in-law Juana Enríquez or from her husband on the occasion of their wedding. The quality and splendor of the precious manuscript is also suitable for a queen. All 730 pages of the book of hours gleam with exuberant adornment and magnificent miniatures. It is considered to be one of the masterpieces from the studio of Willem Vrelants in Bruges, an outstanding miniaturist of the Flemish school of the 15th century. The Book of Hours of Isabel la Catolica is a special treasure of illumination.

Unbelievable Opulence and Exuberant Adornment

3,487 illuminations overall, of which 72 are full-paged, adorn the 730 pages of the marvelous book of hours. The exuberant adornment of the book treasure shows itself by opening it to any page. Broad bordures of multicolored, elaborate arabesques, additionally embellished with gold, or delicate foliage with fine flowers immediately catch one’s eye. These surround some of the text pages and numerous artful miniatures. The miniatures scenically present depictions of biblical stories and Acts of the Saints, always relevant to the text and in no way qualitatively inferior to panel painting. The pages of text are additionally adorned with marvelous initials against a gold background. The intense blue stands out in particular, underscored by luminous red. The artist’s mastery shows itself in the unusual design of the miniatures’ backgrounds, where the place of simple gold backgrounds or blue skies is taken by a marvelous raster consisting of gold, blue, and red squares.

A Bruges Masterpiece

The artistic design of the book of hours is very impressive, as is the overwhelming wealth of colors and the richness of the paintings and their exceptional quality. As the master of this splendid manuscript, Willem Vrelant was responsible for this. This miniaturist who was active in Utrecht and Bruges (d. 1481/82) built up a special studio around himself, which produced the most magnificent manuscripts of the Flemish school. Originating from the hand of Willem Vrelant and his workshop are some miniatures from the Book of Hours of Maria of Burgundy or the so-called Black Hours, among others. Nevertheless, the Book of Hours of Isabel la Catolica, originating ca. 1455–60, is considered to be one of the outstanding masterpieces of the marvelous artist!

A Gift for the Queen

The commissioner of the book of hours was Juana Enríquez of Navarre and Aragon, mother of the eventual King Ferdinand II of Aragon. The gem came into the possession of Isabella of Castile either as a gift from her mother-in-law or her husband on the occasion of her wedding in 1469. Isabella of Castile (1451–1504), called “La Catolica,” was a queen of Castile and Léon. Spain was bound into a unified kingdom through her marriage with Ferdinand of Aragon. Together they were named the so-called Catholic Monarchs under whose rule Spain attained great importance. Among others, it was they who took Christopher Columbus into their service and thus made his great discoveries possible. In illumination, their names are known through the Book of Hours of the Catholic Monarchs, the production of which involved the best artists of their time and which the royal couple received as a gift from Emperor Maximilian I. Their collection was expanded by an outstanding piece of 15th century Flemish painting, the Book of Hours of Isabel la Catolica.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Hours of Juana Enríquez
Book of Hours of Queen Isabella of Castile
Libro de horas de Isabel la Católica
Stundenbuch der Isabel la Catolica
Size / Format
730 pages / 21.0 × 15.0 cm
Origin
Belgium
Date
Second half of the 15th century
Script
Gothic Textura
Illustrations
A total of 3,487 miniatures, 72 of which are full-pages, imaginative borders on almost every page, countless large and smaller decorative initials with floral ornamentation, and lavish gold adornment throughout the work
Content
Liturgy of the Hours
Patron
Juana Enríquez (1425–68), mother of King Ferdinand II, King of Aragon, as gift to her daughter–in–law Queen Isabella
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Queen Isabella of Castile,"The Catholic" (1451–1504)

Available facsimile editions:
Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)
Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1991
Limited Edition: 980 copies

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)
Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1991
Limited Edition: 980 copies
Detail Picture

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic"

Adoration of the Magi

Adoration scenes are often vehicles for examining the contemporary court fashions from when they were created. The two older kings kneeling before Christ and the Virgin Mary are dressed in long robes with flowing, excessive sleeves while the young, clean-shaven king behind them is dressed more fashionably in red tights, an embroidered, thigh-length tunic, and is girt with a sword. Joseph, dressed in a monastic habit, sets one of the gifts to the side as he looks back over his shoulder.

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)
Single Page

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic"

The Flagellation

Like all of the 72 full-page miniatures of this manuscript from the workshop of William Vrelant, the scene at hand is a masterpiece equal to any panel painting of the 15th century. The fourth station of the Passion is depicted within a frame of gorgeous tendrils in red, blue, green, and gold leaf, which includes a bishop playing some kind of flute.

The Flagellation is set amidst an abstract architecture, perhaps a courtyard, the perspective of which is nonetheless correct. One cannot see the blows on Christ’s back, but the cruel joy on his persecutors’ faces tells the story of the carnage. They appear to be dressed like Turks, perhaps representing anxieties in Europe following the Fall of Constantinople and their subsequent invasion of the Balkans.

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro de Horas de Isabel la Católica (Mudejar Binding)

Publisher: Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1991
Limited Edition: 980 copies
Binding: Hand sewn and bound in blue goatskin. Gold stamping in the Mudéjar style.
Commentary: 1 volume (130 pages) by Ana Domínguez Rodríguez
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)

#2 Libro de Horas de Isabel la Católica (Luxury Edition)

Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain)
Book of Hours of Isabel "The Catholic" – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Biblioteca del Palacio Real (Madrid, Spain) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Madrid, 1991
Limited Edition: 980 copies
Binding: Hand sewn and bound in blue goatskin. Luxury Edition: gold-plated hardware of the original faithfully reproduced.
Commentary: 1 volume (130 pages) by Ana Domínguez Rodríguez
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€
(7,000€ - 10,000€)
You might also be interested in:
Book of Hours of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain – Patrimonio Ediciones – Ms. Vit 25-5|78 B 13 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain) / Staatliche Museen (Berlin, Germany) / Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, USA)
Book of Hours of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain
Ghent (Belgium) – Ca. 1475

A work of the "Who's Who" of medieval illumination: the wedding gift of Emperor Maximilian I to the Catholic Monarchs, masterfully and richly illuminated by Simon Marmion, Lieven van Lathem, and others

Experience More
Book of Hours of Leonor de la Vega – Club Bibliófilo Versol – Cod. Vitr. 24-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)
Book of Hours of Leonor de la Vega
Bruges (Belgium) – Ca. 1468

A precious testimony of international relations: varied borders and 78 full-page miniatures by the Flemish master Willem Vrelant as a sumptuous gift from a Spanish diplomat

Experience More
Queen Isabella of Castile: Deed of Marriage and Testament – Testimonio Compañía Editorial – Colección Tabula Americae, 21 – Archivo General (Simancas, Spain)
Queen Isabella of Castile: Deed of Marriage and Testament
Spain – 1469 and 1504

Two key documents of the memorable union of Castile and Aragon: a testimony of the historic marriage between Isabella I and Ferdinand II, known as the 'Catholic Monarchs'

Experience More
Isabella Breviary – M. Moleiro Editor – Add. Ms. 18851 – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Isabella Breviary
Flanders – Last decade of the 15th century

She sent Christopher Columbus exploring: one of the most beautiful and – with 1,000 pages – most extensive Flemish manuscripts for the Queen of Spain

Experience More
Willelm Vrelant Book of Hours – De Agostini/UTET – Ms. Acquisti e Doni 147 – Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana (Florence, Italy)
Willelm Vrelant Book of Hours
Bruges (Belgium) – 1455–1460

Due to its 23 full-page miniatures and countless splendid borders a treat on every page: the opulently illuminated Gothic masterpiece by the famous Flemish illuminator Willem Vrelant

Experience More
Hours of Isabella the Catholic – Faksimile Verlag – MS 21/63.256 – Museum of Art (Cleveland, USA)
Hours of Isabella the Catholic
Bruges / Ghent (Belgium) – Ca. 1500

Created for the private library of Isabella I, Queen of Spain: a magnificent masterpiece by Alexander Bening, Gerard David and other virtuoso masters of the famous Ghent-Bruges School

Experience More
Blog articles worth reading
Filter selection
Publisher