Jesus' Nativity in Art: The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, an Illuminated Book
Illuminated books are beautifully decorated texts created using gold leaf, silverpoint, vellum, and mineral-derived paints. Manufacturing of these exquisite books dates as far back as the 13th century.
One of these books is The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, dated to the 15th century and the greatest Dutch illuminated manuscript in the world. The two pages above represent the birth of Jesus (left) and the flight into Egypt (right). Books of hours were used for personal prayers and devotions.
This book was written in latin and richly decorated with elements from nature: plants, flowers, leaves, branches, and animals.
Highly detailed and beautifully decorated, this manuscript was illustrated, gilded, and written by hand, requiring a high degree of craftsmanship. Several artisans, each with different skills, were involved in its production. The scribe wrote the text and the illuminator added the decorative elements.
The word “illuminated” means “lit up”. Bright colors and shiny gold and silver pigments were used to give the lit-up effect to these texts. The pages were made from animal skins, or parchment, and they have a beautiful texture and are very durable.
This Book of Hours was commissioned by Catherine of Cleves, a French noblewoman, as her own personal devotional. On this page, we see Catherine herself, on the lower left and wearing a red dress, as she worships the Virgin and Child.
This impressive manuscript is housed at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City.
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