December 17, 2010
Through January 8, 2011
The Stark Museum of Art will exhibit selected medieval Books of Hours from its collections. The Books feature glorious hand-painted illustrations, including imagery from Christmas.
The Master of Bedford Trend
Nativity
Book of Hours, Use of Paris
c. 1410-1415
paint, gold and ink on vellum
6 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches
Stark Museum of Art
Orange, Texas 11.99.1
The Book of Hours was a prayer book with illustrations enhancing the text. This artist portrayed the Nativity in a rustic wooden stable sheltering an ox and donkey. The Holy Child rests, however, on a regal red couch as the dove of the Holy Spirit descends from God and Mary kneels in adoration. Thus, the artist conveyed a concept of both humble birth and the exalted divinity of Jesus.
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