THE HOURS OF CATHERINE OF CLEVES. INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARIES.

NY: PA Historical Association Book. Very Good. Hardcover. (1966), 359pp, appendices and bibliography. Includes one hundred fifty seven beautiful color plates, reproduced from the illuminated manuscript belonging to the Guennol Collection and the Pierpont Morgan Library. VG in G+ slipcase. Catherine of Cleves was the Duchess of Guelders. The original manuscript, considered one of the masterpieces of Dutch art, was made for her about 1440, by a nameless artist, who is referred to as the Master of Catherine of Cleves. A Book of Hours was a devotional book popular during the later Middle Ages. It took its name from one essential text, The Hours of the Virgin, or more properly the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is called an 'Hours' or Horae in Latin, because it is subdivided into eight parts, one for each of the 'hours' of the liturgical day-Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline..