Books of Hours

Books of Hours were the bestsellers of the late Middle Ages. From dukes to merchants and servants – this book found its way into almost all walks of life: among both women and men, in Latin and the vernacular, and in simple and luxurious editions. Much has been written about the decoration or illumination of books of hours, but information on their use and meaning is scarce. Who were the readers, what topics do the texts cover, why is it called a ‘book of hours’ and why do they appear time and again in Flemish portraits from the late Middle Ages?

This publication offers an in-depth sociological look at books of hours and their representation in portraits by the Flemish Primitives, using the internationally renowned collection of Musea Brugge as a starting point.