Hours of the Virgin
Texts and Images
Each of the eight Hours of the Virgin, recited daily at the canonical times for prayer, opens with a large miniature depicting an event in the Virgin’s life. The eight miniatures are accompanied by fully illuminated ornamental initials and secular scenes in the lower borders.
Flight into Egypt with bas-de-page scene of horse-taming (Hours of the Virgin, Vespers)
The Master of the Grandes Heures, who painted this page, followed closely his teacher, the Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy. He used an identical palette of deep blue and bright orange contrasting with soft pink, violet, grey and pastel green; the delicate stippling technique combined with directional strokes; the pretzel- and pouch-like drapery folds; and the extensive under-drawing with dense strokes defining the shaded areas.
His solid figures are larger in proportion to the overall picture space than those of the Jean de Sy Master. The faces, often expressive and at times grim, are heavily modelled, but less carefully blended than those painted by the Jean de Sy Master; the shading and highlights are clearly visible, creating a somewhat rugged appearance.