Poncher Hours

'Artist/Maker: Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510) Jean Pichore (French, died 1521, active about 1490 - 1521)
Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500)
Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500)
Culture: French
Place: Paris, France (Place created)
Date: about 1500
Medium: Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment; 19th century gold-tooled red leather binding with traces of clasps
Dimensions: Closed: 13.8 × 9.8 × 5 cm (5 7/16 × 3 7/8 × 1 15/16 in.)

By the late Middle Ages, personal prayer books or "books of hours" were extremely common, especially among the upper classes in Paris, a city renowned for its production of hand-illuminated books. The Poncher Hours is an unusual example of the degree to which books of hours could be highly personalized for the patron it was commissioned for--in this case, Denise Poncher, a young woman from an elite family whose father served as treasurer of wars for the French crown and whose uncle was bishop of Paris. What personalizes this book, which may have been given on the occasion of her wedding, are the many allusions to marriage and motherhood in the selection of specific texts and images, as well as an illustration that includes the bride herself and also a coat of arms combining the Poncher arms with those of her husband, Jean Brosset.

The manuscript includes a rare chapter for personal prayer books--the Hours of the Conception--mixed in with the more common Hours of the Virgin, Hours of the Cross, and Hours of the Holy Spirit. The cycle of illuminations begins with a glorious, delicate full-age miniature of the Virgin in a mandorla flanked by saints Barbara and Catherine. Other illuminations in the manuscript refer to the roles of wife and mother, including Mary Spinning Wool, Anne Teaching the Virgin to Read, and The Virgo Lactans. The selection of prayers considered instructive for a young woman is similarly highly thematic, with topics that range from the theological and cardinal virtues to what to say when greeting the king. The manuscript's texts are written in French and Latin, with some Latin passages punctuated by the personal pronoun "tu" (the familiar "you" in French).' Getty Museum Collection

Flagellation
Flagellation; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 16
Pietà
Pietà; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 39
Crucifixion
Crucifixion; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 45v
Mass of St Gregory
Mass of St Gregory; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 55v
Mocking of Christ
Mocking of Christ; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 60v
Virgin in Cloud of Angels, with Saints Barbara and Catherine
Virgin in Cloud of Angels, with Saints Barbara and Catherine; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 64
Annunciation
Annunciation; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 79
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 90v
John on Patmos
John on Patmos; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 93
Nativity
Nativity; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 95v
Presentation at the Temple
Presentation at the Temple; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 99v
Flagellation
Flagellation; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 100v
Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Magi; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 101v
Annunciation to Joseph
Annunciation to Joseph; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 102
Massacre of the Innocents
Massacre of the Innocents; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 107
Christ Carrying the Cross
Christ Carrying the Cross; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 108
Temptation of Christ
Temptation of Christ; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 109
Baptism of Christ
Baptism of Christ; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 109v
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 114
Christ Nailed to the Cross
Christ Nailed to the Cross; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 115
Raising of Lazarus
Raising of Lazarus; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 116
Noli me tangere
Noli me tangere; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 116v
Crucifixion
Crucifixion; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 122
Anna Teaching the Virgin Reading
Anna Teaching the Virgin Reading; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 123
Judas Paying Pieces of Silver
Judas Paying Pieces of Silver; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 123v
Virgo lactans
Virgo lactans; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 128v
Descent from the Cross
Descent from the Cross; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 129v
Noli me tangere
Noli me tangere; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 130v
Coronation of the Virgin
Coronation of the Virgin; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 134v
Entombment of Christ
Entombment of Christ; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 135v
Saint Mary Magdalene and the Virgin
Saint Mary Magdalene and the Virgin; Master of the Chronique scandaleuse (French, active about 1493 - 1510); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 137
David and Bathsheba: David slaying Goliath
David and Bathsheba: David slaying Goliath; Master of Cardinal Bourbon (French, about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 140
Ecce Homo
Ecce Homo; Jean Pichore (French, died 1521, active about 1490 - 1521); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 194
Pietà
Pietà; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 203v
Archangel Michael and the Dragon
Archangel Michael and the Dragon; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 205v
John the Baptist
John the Baptist; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 206
Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 206v
Saints Peter and Paul
Saints Peter and Paul; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 207
Jacobus
Jacobus; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 207v
All Apostles
All Apostles; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 208
Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 208v
Saint Lawrence
Saint Lawrence; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 209
Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 209v
Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 211
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 212v
Saint Claudius
Saint Claudius; Master of Jacques de Besançon (French, active about 1480 - 1500); Paris, France; about 1500; Tempera colors, ink and gold on parchment; Leaf: 13.3 x 8.7 cm (5 1/4 x 3 7/16 in.); Ms. 109, fol. 213