BOOK OF HOURS OF Gulbenkian

A renowned artist called Master of Adelaide of Savoy was probably the author of the paintings in the manuscript. The illuminator was called after the daughter of Louis XIV, because the artist painted for Adelaide of Savoy a Book of Hours now kept in Chantilly, Musée Condé, MS 76. Inspired by Jean Fouquet, four illuminators contributed to this masterpiece, blending the international Gothic style with elements of Italian painters like Fra Angelico.

Uncommonly devoid of margins, the Book of Hours of Gulbenkian captivates with its rich illustrations, featuring full-page miniatures, Passion cycle depictions, and over eight hundred fifty illuminations interspersed throughout the text pages. The illuminators ingeniously intertwined biblical narratives with contemporary French history, subtly incorporating French rulers’ features into scenes like the Adoration of the Magi.

The Book of Hours of Gulbenkian also known as the Poitiers Prayer Book stands as a testament to 15th century French illuminators’ artistry, and offering a richness in their pictorial motifs, unparalleled in medieval books of hours. With its diverse imagery, including large-format miniatures, smaller sequences, and charming marginal adornments, it ranks among the most magnificent and beautiful picture books of medieval literature.

Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, a distinguished British engineer and art collector, amassed a remarkable collection of paintings and sculptures, including the Book of Hours of Gulbenkian. Seeking refuge during the Second World War in Portugal, Gulbenkian’s art collection became a foundation, and this manuscript remains one of its stunning masterpieces, housed at the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian.

The facsimile edition of the Book of Hours of Gulbenkian is complemented by a bookcase for its conservation and a complementary study book made by subject matter experts.

This facsimile is a unique edition of 995 books numbered and authenticated by notarial deed.