The works in this exhibit are all later versions or publications of titles, authors, or documents that are represented in the Rouse Medieval Manuscript collection. The exhibit content was created by students in a History of the Book seminar in Winter 2014 in the Information Studies Department at UCLA.
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1. An exact collection of all remonstrances,...
3. Divi Avrelii Avgvstini Hippon. Episcopi...
4. Horae in laudem beatiss[ima] Virginis secu[n]dum....
5. Hore in laudem beatissime Virg[inis] Marie...
6. Les memoires, contenans le discours de plusieurs...
7. Modus Bene Viuendi (Modus Bene Vivendi)
8. Psalteriu[m] v[ir]ginis sanctissime [secundum]...
9. Q. Asco. Pediani In Ciceronis orationes...
10. Quaestiones super XII libros Metaphysicae...
11. Stimulus diuini amoris Sancti Bonauenturae
12. Varii sermoni de Santo Agostino...
13. Varii sermoni di Santo Agostino
Title Hore in laudem beatissime Virg[inis] Marie...
Brief description
This Venetian book of hours is printed in Latin. Although books of hours were popular during the Medieval period, the elaborate woodblock illustrations, two colors of text, and most notably the velvet binding indicate that this particular copy belonged to someone of the upper class, as velvet was one of the most luxurious and valuable materials during the Renaissance.
Books of hours were often given to women by their husbands as wedding gifts. The elegance of a velvet-covered edition would then distinguish her as a lady of wealth and nobility. Books of hours provide evidence of the spread of literacy during the Renaissance among laymen. The books were designed for private devotional use and are composed of psalms, hymns, prayers and often contain Biblical images.
This particular copy has woodblock prints of Biblical scenes from Eden through the Passion on every page.
Physical description
Printing Method: Movable print with wood block illustrations.
Production techniques: Movable type printing along with woodblock.
Content description
This text is a book of hours in Latin that was printed in 1541 in Italy. It includes prayers, psalms, hymns, and devotions to the Virgin Mary. The book is divided into sections that indicate the time of day, time of week, or year when each prayer should be read. Clergy and other literate people carried books of hours in order to recite prayers in daily or weekly cycles. Books of hours were also often carried by women in order to reaffirm their dedication to Christ and to the Catholic church.
The author of the text was most likely a member of the church like a clergyman or monk. Similar writings include psalters, hymnals, and the Bible. There are six hundred forty three editions of this title in print. The other editions vary in illustration, binding, and print materials. Both books of hours in the Rouse Collection have similar features to this edition. The Rouse books, however, display a more intricate level of illumination: the Rouse illustrations are hand-painted and the pages are framed with gold.
Contributor: Sarah Dudley
Contribution date: Winter 2014
Full title: Hore in laudem beatissime Virg[inis] Marie tripliciter ac separatim pro tempo[rum] varietate exucuse: multisq[ue] deuotissimis, orationibus adducte
Date December 1541
Location Venetijs (Venice, Italy)
Dimensions 5.5″ x 4″
Additional information Books of hours have their origins in the psalter. The psalter originated in the church prior to the 12th century and was used to guide recitations by monks and nuns.
Condition Title page has a fleur-de-lis publisher's stamp; pagination in upper right corners of pages; yellowing due to aging on the edges of the pages; minimal water spots.