The Hours of Catherine of Cleves: Devotions, Demons and Daily Life in the Fifteenth Century [Hardcover]

Rob Duckers (Author), Ruud Priem (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

Illuminated with spectacular miniatures and borders in glittering gold and splendid colors for Catherine of Cleves, Duchess of Guelders, this stunning manuscript is arguably the most beautiful ever produced in the Northern Netherlands. The craftsmanship of the anonymous artist who created it is visible in every extraordinary detail of the many leaves. This stunning volume is published in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name at the Morgan Library in New York .

The book presents more than 100 leaves of the manuscript, which contains some of the most beautiful illustrations of the Bible ever made, including important scenes from the Old and New Testaments as well as the Stations of the Cross and portraits of the saints. The text discusses the work’s patron, its artist, and the accomplishments of his contemporaries. With exquisite new photography, close-up details, and an in-depth discussion of the manuscript, this is the essential volume on a masterpiece.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rob Dückers teaches Western Art History at Emerson College’s European Center in the Netherlands, where he is also assistant director. He is an expert on manuscript illumination and medieval church treasures, and co-curated the acclaimed 2005 exhibition The Limbourg Brothers. Nijmegen Masters at the French Court, 1400-1416. Ruud Priem is curator at Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He was a consultant at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Santa Monica, and is a guest curator at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 426 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; 1St Edition edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810989573
• ISBN-13: 978-0810989573
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,355,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Illuminations

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars magnificent illuminated manuscript catalogue., February 3, 2010

By 

Ivor E. Zetler (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Hours of Catherine of Cleves: Devotions, Demons and Daily Life in the Fifteenth Century (Hardcover)

This volume is a catalogue of an exhibition held at the Morgan Library and the Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmengen. Its centerpiece is the display of about 100 pages of the "Hours of Catherine of Cleves". This famous illuminated manuscript, created around 1440, was commissioned by Catherine of Cleves. The book, previously separated, was purchased by the Morgan Library in two parts; in 1963 and 1970. The book was disassembled for the exhibition, enabling the viewers a rare opportunity to see the individual pages.

The first section consists of informative essays concerning the book of hours, its unknown creator and Catherine of Cleves. The initial illustrations relate to objects featured in the decorated pages as well as other attractive contemporary illuminated manuscripts. This is followed by the leaves from the Hours of Catherine of Cleves; these are presented as enlargements. The greater size allows the reader to savour the exceptionally inventive and intricate marginalia as well as the glorious illustrations. Some of the pages have text whereas others consist exclusively of paintings. The greatness of the Hours of Catherine of Cleves makes many of the preceeding manuscripts, fine as they might be, seem somewhat tepid.

Although I have not seen the originals, it seems that the colors as reproduced appear natural and truthful. Certainly the quality appears vastly superior to those published in the elderly George Braziller edition which, though showing the pages in the actual size, has colors that seem harsh and unnatural. Additionally the general printing standard of the book under review as well as its paper quality are well above average. This glorious book should be an obligatory purchase for all enthusiasts of illuminated manuscripts.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book with a wealth of information, January 3, 2011

By 

Triple L "Lisa" (South Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Hours of Catherine of Cleves: Devotions, Demons and Daily Life in the Fifteenth Century (Hardcover)

I bought this as a Christmas present for my mother. We missed the special exhibit at the Morgan Library and I hoped this would make up for it. Mom is thrilled! Aside from providing beautiful copies of the plates from the book of hours, the book also provides a wealth of historical support and background abouth the book of hours. It is definitely a winner!