A book used for private devotion that contains the prayers of the Divine Office meant to be recited at the canonical hours of the day (matins, lauds, nones, vespers, etc.). These texts sometimes include a calendar with illustrations of the labors of the months. They are usually beautifully illuminated as they were created for patrons of high standing. One of the most outstanding examples is the Limbourg brother's Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry (Chantilly, Musée Condé) of 1416. Other examples include the Book of Hours of Jean le Meingre, Maréchal de Boucicaut (beg. c. 1409; Paris, Musée Jacque-mart-André, Ms. 2) by the Boucicaut Master and the Book of Hours of Anne of Brittany (1500-1507; Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Ms. lat. 9474) by Jean Bourdichon.
See also Jean, Duc de Berry.
Historical dictionary of Renaissance art. Lilian H. Zirpolo. 2008.