Office of Our Blessed Lady, at Compline, Leaf from a Book of Hours
Item
Title
Office of Our Blessed Lady, at Compline,
Leaf from a Book of Hours
Leaf from a Book of Hours
Creator
Artist unknown
Flemish, active late 15th–early 16th century
Flemish, active late 15th–early 16th century
Date
c. 1500
Materials
Ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Measurements
7-1/4 x 5-1/6 in. (18.4 x 13 cm)
Description
A Book of Hours is an abbreviated form of the breviary, the cycle of liturgical prayers for the clergy, designed specifically for lay people. A typical book would contain a selection of psalms, hymns, biblical verses, and other invocations to be recited during the canonical hours—appointed times of prayer throughout the day—which are gathered into distinct groupings, such as the Hours of the Holy Spirit, the Hours of the Cross, the Office for the Dead, and, as represented here, the Office of Our Blessed Lady.
Compline, the last of the canonical hours, would have occurred after the evening meal, at the point where one is retiring for the evening. The main body of the text reads:
Remember, O Creator Lord, that in the Virgin's sacred womb
Thou was conceived, and of her flesh didst our mortality assume.
Mary, mother of grace, mother of mercy,
shield me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death.
O Jesu! born of Mary bright! Immortal glory be to Thee;
praise to the Father infinite, and Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.
Compline, the last of the canonical hours, would have occurred after the evening meal, at the point where one is retiring for the evening. The main body of the text reads:
Remember, O Creator Lord, that in the Virgin's sacred womb
Thou was conceived, and of her flesh didst our mortality assume.
Mary, mother of grace, mother of mercy,
shield me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death.
O Jesu! born of Mary bright! Immortal glory be to Thee;
praise to the Father infinite, and Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University
Identifier
82.36.2
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.