Artwork Page for Bifolio from a Book of Hours: Initial V with Floral Border (recto); Text (verso)

Details / Information for Bifolio from a Book of Hours: Initial V with Floral Border (recto); Text (verso)

Bifolio from a Book of Hours: Initial V with Floral Border (recto); Text (verso)

c. 1460–1500
Measurements
Each leaf: 13.9 x 10.6 cm (5 1/2 x 4 3/16 in.)
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
?

Did You Know?

The Office of the Dead, usually at the end of books of hours, contains the same set of prayers the ordained used during funeral rites.

Description

The word dirge, today meaning a mournful hymn for funerals, comes from the opening Latin in the Office of the Dead, seen just after the decorative letter A at upper left. During the Middle Ages, dirge became the shortened way to refer to the Office of the Dead. Although primarily recited at funerals, the office was also prayed at home as a reminder of mortality and a protection against sudden death. Surrounding the text, which contains Psalm 5, is a border decoration of acanthus leaves, believed to grow in paradise, as well as a parrot, a squirrel, a beetle, and flowers.
A four-page spread of a Latin manuscript displays dark, angular calligraphy on cream vellum. The top right page is framed by a border of winding, colorful vines, flowers, a green bird, and a beetle, encircling a large initial "O" on a gold ground. Smaller red and blue initials punctuate the text columns. The aged parchment features irregular edges and light stains, contrasting dense script with vibrant botanical and animal illustrations.

Bifolio from a Book of Hours: Initial V with Floral Border (recto); Text (verso)

c. 1460–1500

Austria (? ) or Bohemia (?), 15th century

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