Picture Day Friday

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The origins of The Collins Hours or the Book of Hours for Rome is probably Bruges, Belgium in 1445—1450. The image below is of the original housed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as a gift of Mrs. Philip S. Collins in memory of her husband. 1945-65- 4, fols. 73v-74

In the above illustration of the Nativity for the hour of Prime (about 6 a.m.), the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and a handmaiden are pictured in a well-designed stable. The border surrounding the miniature is occupied by adoring shepherds. The artist, the Master of the Collins Hours, is named after his work in this manuscript. His illumination combines French and Flemish styles and shows great ingenuity.