Book of Hours of Doña Mencía de Mendoza

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Dublin Core

Title

Book of Hours of Doña Mencía de Mendoza

Subject

The 16th century Book of Hours of Doña Mencía de Mendoza at the Institute of Valencia is one of many books of hours that Doña Mencía ordered. It is a miniature manuscript meant to be held in the hand and actively used by the owner. Books of Hours were popular books for Christian devotion, containing prayers to be said throughout the day, and luxury versions would often feature biblical imagery. In this miniature example there are 17 full-page illuminations displaying several scenes from the New Testament. In addition to biblical imagery, the shields of Henry Count of Nassau, the first husband of Doña Mencía, and her shield as Marquee of Zanete are also portrayed in the manuscript.

Description

The facsimile of the Book of Hours of Doña Mencía de Mendoza is a full-size color reproduction of the original manuscript. It is bound in brown leather with a gold rays emitting from a center heart. The facsimile is stored in a small red velvet covered wooden box with silver furniture, and locked with a key. The use of the elaborate box brings about a greater sense of intimacy with the facsimile, conveying to the modern student or scholar the close proximity the original viewer would need to complete their devotion.

Creator

Original MS: Unknown
Facsimile: Cesar Olmos Pieri and Juana Hildago Ogayar

Source

Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: BX2080.A35 M46 2002
Original MS: Madrid, Biblioteca del Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan, MS 26-III-41

Publisher

Madrid: Testimonio Compañia Editorial,

Date

Facsimile: 2002
Original MS: c. 16th century

Contributor

Commentary: J. Hidalgo Ogayar

Rights

Madrid, Testimonio Compañía Editorial

Relation

Book of Hours of Lorenzo de Medici

Format

202 leaves, illustrated, 9 cm

Language

Facsimile: Latin
Commentary: Spanish

Type

Miniature Book of Hours, book for private devotion

Identifier

Miniature for women

Coverage

Spanish, Renaissance, c. 16th century

Prepared by Doo wan Kwon and Semi Elert, edited by Jennifer Boatner