Ruskin Hours

Artist/Maker: Unknown
Place: Northeastern France
Date: about 1300
Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment bound between wood boards covered with dark red leather (on inside covers, red morocco with ornament stamped in bold, from earlier 18th century binding)
Dimensions: Leaf: 26.4 × 18.3 cm (10 3/8 × 7 3/16 in.)

'Made in northeastern France about 1300, this manuscript is a relatively early example of a book of hours. Later in the 1300s, books of hours superseded psalters as the principal texts for personal devotion. The profusely decorated manuscript includes almost one hundred historiated initials, miniatures that illustrate the calendar, and a rare feature, an illustrated litany. Further illuminations called marginalia appear on many of the pages. Sometimes these scenes relate directly to a historiated initial on the same page; more often, the secular vignettes of humorous animals and figures are meant to provide a playful counterpart to the religious narratives. The illuminations, painted by an anonymous artist, exhibit vivacity and an attention to detail characteristic of the high Gothic style. In the 1800s the celebrated art critic and medieval enthusiast John Ruskin owned this book of hours, which has since taken his name. Ruskin was so fond of the book that he included designs from it in his own book, Modern Painters, helping to popularize medieval culture.'
The Getty Museum Collection

Initial D: The Mocking of Christ; Initial D: The Flagellation; Initial D: The Way to Calvary
Initial D: The Mocking of Christ; Initial D: The Flagellation; Initial D: The Way to Calvary; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 1
Initial D: The Crucifixion; Initial D: The Deposition
Initial D: The Crucifixion; Initial D: The Deposition; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 1v
Initial C: The Resurrection
Initial C: The Resurrection; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 2
Janus Feasting
Janus Feasting; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 2v
A Man Warming by a Fire
A Man Warming by a Fire; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 3v
A Man Chopping a Tree
A Man Chopping a Tree; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 4v
A Young Man Carrying Two Plants
A Young Man Carrying Two Plants; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 5v
A Horseman with a Hawk
A Horseman with a Hawk; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 6v
A Man Mowing
A Man Mowing; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 7v
A Man Reaping
A Man Reaping; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 8v
A Man Harvesting Grapes
A Man Harvesting Grapes; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 9v
A Man Sowing
A Man Sowing; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 10v
A Man Knocking Acorns from a Tree
A Man Knocking Acorns from a Tree; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 11v
A Man Baking Bread
A Man Baking Bread; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 13v
Initial D: The Betrayal of Christ; Initial D: Christ in the Clouds and Nuns in Prayer
Initial D: The Betrayal of Christ; Initial D: Christ in the Clouds and Nuns in Prayer; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 15
Initial V: Two Nuns Singing
Initial V: Two Nuns Singing; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 15v
Initial V: A Bishop and the Dove of the Holy Spirit
Initial V: A Bishop and the Dove of the Holy Spirit; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 17
Initial B: A Female Saint
Initial B: A Female Saint; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 18
Initial S: A Bishop before a Fire; Initial O: A Nimbed Monk and a Female Saint
Initial S: A Bishop before a Fire; Initial O: A Nimbed Monk and a Female Saint; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 19v
Initial V: A Male Saint and a Female Saint in Conversation
Initial V: A Male Saint and a Female Saint in Conversation; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 20
Initial T: A Cleric with Two Assistants
Initial T: A Cleric with Two Assistants; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 20v
Initial A: The Mocking of Christ; Initial L: Two Men Holding Scrolls
Initial A: The Mocking of Christ; Initial L: Two Men Holding Scrolls; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 23
Initial C: Men Holding Scrolls
Initial C: Men Holding Scrolls; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 24v
Initial L: Two Women Holding Scrolls
Initial L: Two Women Holding Scrolls; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 25v
Initial G: Saint Peter
Initial G: Saint Peter; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 26
Initial T: A Nimbed Cleric and a Female Saint
Initial T: A Nimbed Cleric and a Female Saint; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 26v
Initial B: Christ before King Herod
Initial B: Christ before King Herod; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 27
Initial D: A Kneeling Saint in Prayer
Initial D: A Kneeling Saint in Prayer; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 28v
Initial D: Christ before Caiaphas; Initial D: The Virgin Mary with Apostles
Initial D: Christ before Caiaphas; Initial D: The Virgin Mary with Apostles; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 29
Initial T: A Nimbed Man in Conversation with Several Persons
Initial T: A Nimbed Man in Conversation with Several Persons; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 30
Initial S: A Young Saint Speaking with a Nimbed Female Saint
Initial S: A Young Saint Speaking with a Nimbed Female Saint; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 30v
Initial D: The Ascension; Initial D: Pentecost
Initial D: The Ascension; Initial D: Pentecost; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 32
Initial S: Saint Peter
Initial S: Saint Peter; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 32v
Initial N: Saint Paul with a Sword; Initial V: Saint Peter with a Key
Initial N: Saint Paul with a Sword; Initial V: Saint Peter with a Key; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 33v
Initial N: Three Male Saints
Initial N: Three Male Saints; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 35
Initial D: The Virgin Mary with Several Apostles
Initial D: The Virgin Mary with Several Apostles; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 35v
Initial D: The Annunciation; Initial D: A Young Man Praying to Christ in the Clouds
Initial D: The Annunciation; Initial D: A Young Man Praying to Christ in the Clouds; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 37v
Initial V: Clerics Singing
Initial V: Clerics Singing; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 38
Initial Q: The Creation of Plants
Initial Q: The Creation of Plants; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 39
Initial D: A Nun in Prayer
Initial D: A Nun in Prayer; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 40
Initial C: The Virgin and Child
Initial C: The Virgin and Child; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 41
Initial D: A Young Man in Prayer before God
Initial D: A Young Man in Prayer before God; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 42v
Initial S: The Virgin and Child with Two Men in Prayer
Initial S: The Virgin and Child with Two Men in Prayer; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 44
Initial S: The Virgin Mary and Christ Showing his Wounds
Initial S: The Virgin Mary and Christ Showing his Wounds; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 45
Initial S: The Virgin Mary Interceding for a Young Man before Christ Showing his Wounds
Initial S: The Virgin Mary Interceding for a Young Man before Christ Showing his Wounds; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 45v
Initial E: The Virgin Mary and an Apostle in Conversation
Initial E: The Virgin Mary and an Apostle in Conversation; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 46
Initial D: A Man Embracing Christ on the Cross
Initial D: A Man Embracing Christ on the Cross; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 48v
Initial M: The Virgin and Child with a Saint
Initial M: The Virgin and Child with a Saint; Unknown; Northeastern France, France; about 1300; Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 26.4 x 18.3 cm (10 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.); Ms. Ludwig IX 3, fol. 50