Moskauer Stundenbuch

The Moscow Book of Hours – A Jewel of Late Medieval Book Art

Created in Paris during the 1470s, the Moscow Book of Hours is among the most magnificent devotional books of its time. Across 470 pages, it features 17 large-format miniatures, 24 calendar images, and over 500 pages adorned with real gold – a masterpiece of private piety from the nobility.

Two book painters crafted enchanting landscapes, splendid interiors, and intricate scenes, inspired by Dutch masters such as Rogier van der Weyden and the Master of Coëtivy. The original patron remains a mystery to this day – indications of nobility and wealth were later removed.

Despite the loss of some illustrated pages in the 19th century, the Book of Hours continues to impress with its opulent decoration and art historical significance – a radiant testament to French and Dutch book art of the late Middle Ages.