Customer Reviews

The Bedford Hours (Medieval Manuscripts in the British Libr Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like most of Janet Backhouse's work, this is an excellent, concise study of a particular manuscript in the collection of the British Library.

This particular manuscript is a 15th c. book of hours, commissioned from a Parisian workshop by John, Duke of Bedford.

The text reads easily. Ms. Backhouse covers a short history of the Duke, to place the book in context, and follows with a modestly comprehensive study of the book as an art object.

The book contains around 60 plates, some in black and white, some in color. There are about as many full page illustrations as there are text pages, so the book makes a very suitable visual reference for book artists wanting to illuminate in the style of the Bedford Master.

All in all, a very nice, short study of a justifiably famous medieval manuscript.

The book provides 27 beautiful full page colour photos for the viewer to enjoy. There are also black and white examples, all on good quality paper which helps reveal the quality and detail of each page. There is some description and history but I feel the book is mostly for the pictorial display. I am very pleased with this book and it is well worth the money. It enhances my modest library of Medieval Manuscripts.

I am very pleased with the illuminations in this book. A good source for my work.