The Black Hours
This Book of Hours, referred to as the Black Hours, is one of a small handful of manuscripts written and illuminated on vellum that is stained or painted black. The result is quite arresting. The text is written in silver and gold, with gilt initials and line endings composed of chartreuse panels enlivened with yellow filigree. Gold foliage on a monochromatic blue background makes up the borders. The miniatures are executed in a restricted palette of blue, old rose, and light flesh tones, with dashes of green, gray, and white. The solid black background is utilized to great advantage, especially by means of gold highlighting.
The anonymous painter of the Black Hours is an artist whose style depended mainly upon that of Willem Vrelant, one of the dominant illuminators working in Bruges from the late 1450s until his death in 1481. As in the work of Vrelant, figures in angular drapery move somewhat stiffly in shallowly defined spaces. The men's flat faces are dominated by large noses.
Although, in general, well preserved, this manuscript has some condition problems. The black of its vellum—the very thing that makes the codex so striking—is also the cause of some serious flaking. The carbon used in the black renders the surface of the vellum smooth and shiny—a handsome but less than ideal supporting surface for some of the pigments. The Morgan's Black Hours is awaiting conservation treatment. In the meantime, we are pleased to offer a virtual facsimile.
"Black Hours," for Rome use. Belgium, Bruges, c. 1470 (MS M.493).
Thumbnails
Fols. 1v–2r
Book of Hours
Calendar: January
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 2v–3r
Book of Hours
Calendar: January (conclusion)
Calendar: February
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 3v–4r
Book of Hours
Calendar: February (conclusion)
Calendar: March
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 4v–5r
Book of Hours
Calendar: March (conclusion)
Calendar: April
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 5v–6r
Book of Hours
Calendar: April (conclusion)
Calendar: May
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 6v–7r
Book of Hours
Calendar: May (conclusion)
Calendar: June
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 7v–8r
Book of Hours
Calendar: June (conclusion)
Calendar: July
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 8v–9r
Book of Hours
Calendar: July (conclusion)
Calendar: August
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 9v–10r
Book of Hours
Calendar: August (conclusion)
Calendar: September
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 10v–11r
Book of Hours
Calendar: September (conclusion)
Calendar: October
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 11v–12r
Book of Hours
Calendar: October (conclusion)
Calendar: November
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 12v–13r
Book of Hours
Calendar: November (conclusion)
Calendar: December
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 13v–14r
Book of Hours
Calendar: December (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 14v–15r
Book of Hours
Crucifixion
Hours of the Cross: Matins
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 15v–16r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Cross: Matins (continuation)
Hours of the Cross: Matins (conclusion), Prime, Terce
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 16v–17r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Cross: Terce (conclusion), Sext, None
Hours of the Cross: None (conclusion), Vespers, Compline
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 17v–18r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Cross: Compline (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 18v–19r
Book of Hours
Pentecost
Hours of the Holy Spirit: Matins
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 19v–20r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Holy Spirit: Matins (conclusion), Prime
Hours of the Holy Spirit: Prime (conclusion), Terce, Sext
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 20v–21r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Holy Spirit: Sext (conclusion), None, Vespers
Hours of the Holy Spirit, Vespers (conclusion), Compline
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 21v–22r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Holy Spirit: Compline (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 22v–23r
Book of Hours
Virgin and Child
Mass of the Virgin
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 23v–24r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 24v–25r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 25v–26r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 26v–27r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 27v–28r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 28v–29r
Book of Hours
Mass of the Virgin (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 29v–30r
Book of Hours
Annunciation
Hours of the Virgin: Matins
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 30v–31r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 31v–32r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 32v–33r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 33v–34r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 34v–35r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 35v–36r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 36v–37r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 37v–38r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 38v–39r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Matins (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 39v–40r
Book of Hours
Visitation
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 40v–41r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 41v–42r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 42v–43r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 43v–44r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 44v–45r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 45v–46r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 46v–47r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 47v–48r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 48v–49r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 49v–50r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Lauds (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 50v–51r
Book of Hours
Nativity
Hours of the Virgin: Prime
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 51v–52r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Prime (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 52v–53r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Prime (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 53v–54r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Prime (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 54v–55r
Book of Hours
Annunciation to the Shepherds
Hours of the Virgin: Terce
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 55v–56r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Terce (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 56v–57r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Terce (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 57v–58r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Terce (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 58v–59r
Book of Hours
Adoration of the Magi
Hours of the Virgin: Sext
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 59v–60r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Sext (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 60v–61r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Sext (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 61v–62r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Sext (blank)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 62v–63r
Book of Hours
Massacre of the Innocents
Hours of the Virgin: None
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 63v–64r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: None (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 64v–65r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: None (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 65v–66r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: None (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 66v–67r
Book of Hours
Flight into Egypt
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 67v–68r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 68v–69r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 69v–70r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 70v–71r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Vespers (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 71v–72r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Vespers (blank)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 72v–73r
Book of Hours
Coronation of the Virgin
Hours of the Virgin: Compline
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 73v–74r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Compline (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 74v–75r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Compline (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 75v–76r
Book of Hours
Hours of the Virgin: Compline (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 76v–77r
Book of Hours
David in Prayer
Penitential Psalms and Litany
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 77v–78r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 78v–79r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 79v–80r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 80v–81r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 81v–82r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 82v–83r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 83v–84r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 84v–85r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 85v–86r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 86v–87r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 87v–88r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 88v–89r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 89v–90r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 90v–91r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 91v–92r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 92v–93r
Book of Hours
Penitential Psalms and Litany (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 93v–94r
Book of Hours
Raising of Lazarus
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 94v–95r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 95v–96r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 96v–97r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Vespers (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 97v–98r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Vespers (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 98v–99r
Book of Hours
Chanting of the Office of the Dead
Office of the Dead: Matins
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 99v–100r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (continuation)
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 100v–101r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 101v–102r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 102v–103r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 103v–104r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 104v–105r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (First Nocturn, conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 105v–106r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 106v–107r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 107v–108r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 108v–109r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 109v–110r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 110v–111r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 111v–112r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Second Nocturn, conclusion; Third Nocturn)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 112v–113r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 113v–114r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 114v–115r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 115v–116r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 116v–117r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 117v–118r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 118v–119r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Matins (Third Nocturn, conclusion; Lauds)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 119v–120r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 120v–121r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Lauds (continuation)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912
Fols. 121v–122r
Book of Hours
Office of the Dead: Lauds (conclusion)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1912