With pages that showcase stunning representations of natural illusion, the luxurious personal book of prayers known as the Spinola Hours is one of the most visually refined Flemish manuscripts of the 16th century.

A book of hours includes texts such as a calendar of church feasts, the Hours of the Virgin (a cycle of prayers dedicated to the Theotokos), the Office for the Dead, and other prayers, hymns, and readings. This particular example enriches these contents with a special set of daily writings and liturgies, providing even more opportunities for rich illustrations. The book was undoubtedly commissioned for a wealthy patron, perhaps for Margaret of Austria, for whom the Master of James IV of Scotland, a renowned illustrator and manuscript painter, produced other works. In the 18th century, it belonged to the Spinola family in Genoa, from which it takes its modern name.

We are honored to present this unparalleled example of illumination from the J. Paul Getty Museum, and it is part of our collective collection.