Books of Hours

by Phaidon Press

"Books of Hours" is a glittering collection of devotional texts which became a favorite of people in western Europe by the end of the 13th century.

Genres: Art, History, Reference, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 1996

About the author

Phaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia

Reviews

[John Osman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book appears to be one of those bathroom books - it is a miniature or palm-size book consisting mainly of illustrations - but it is so much more. It is a Gentle Introduction to the English Catholic Books of Hours of the Middle Ages.

The introduction does a good job of explaining the usage of the Books of Hours in the late Middle Ages in England. There are subsequent sections on the Calendar, Sequences from the Gospels, Prayers and Hours to the Virgin. the Cross and the Holy Spirit, Penitential Psalms, The Litany, Office of the Dead and Suffrages.

In our day of phone applications it is interesting to imagine that over half a millennium ago folks still held in the palm of their hand text and pictures to transport them to a much higher place.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got my hands on this beautiful small book at the thrift store. I love the selection.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book, representing miniatures from lesser known books of hours, in roughly the same size and shape as the originals. The reproductions are generally good and the colours (there are none in B&W) are probably quite true. The book is let down though by an overly complicated reference at the back. There is a great deal of real estate on every page, despite the small size, and it would have made the experience a far more pleasing one had the artist/year/gallery been printed at the footer. One other niggle is the gold is represented by brown. I recently read the The Belles Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry, and although a publication from 1974, every illumination with gold shone out of the page. It's a shame the publishers didn't push the boat out a little more. I'd have paid a bit extra for that!

[Aaron Carlberg]

The "Books of Hours" were collections of devotional texts which became a favorite of people in western Europe by the end of the 13th century. This is a recreation (many of the plates in the actual size) of one of the book of hours.