Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours opens tomorrow

The exhibition is the first in a series that will highlight rarely seen artworks

23 May 2024 – The Chester Beatty has today launched a new, in-focus exhibition, Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours, concentrating on an exquisite fifteenth-century manuscript from their collection. This is the first time the book in its entirety is on display.

Opening to the public tomorrow, 24 May 2024 and running until 22 September 2024, this in-focus exhibition is the first in a planned series from the Chester Beatty to highlight and closely examine rarely seen and unique treasures from their collection.

Books of hours refer to Christian prayer books that were used throughout specific times of the day. They were especially popular in Europe between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries and while no two are alike, certain volumes like the Hamilton Field Book of Hours emerge as exceptional.

The Hamilton Field Book of Hours, which was named after its previous owner, artist, collector and critic, Hamilton Easter Field (1873–1922), dates from the early fifteenth century. Originally crafted in Paris for the Contet family of Champagne, this unique manuscript is noteworthy and original for its full-page calendar illustrations. While many illustrations are devoted to agricultural activities—hay harvest, wine making and sowing seeds—some scenes depict the leisure activities of the wealthy—courtly love, hunting and banquets. These illustrations are one of only two fully developed sets of landscapes in French manuscripts from the first half of the fifteenth century.

Further distinguishing itself from its contemporaries, the manuscript boasts intricately adorned and realistically rendered floral borders that feature roses, strawberries and columbines, rich in symbolic significance. Although these types of motifs were often used in other devotional manuscripts, it is unusual to find realistic flora in a French manuscript of this time.

The paintings and borders prevalent in this work show links with Italian artwork of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, suggesting the artist was from or trained in Italy. The illuminator has been designated the ‘Master of Walters 219’, named after a manuscript in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland—the Hamilton Field Book of Hours is probably this artist’s masterpiece.

“Our aim when we were devising ‘Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours’, was to find a way to offer visitors a deeper analysis of this exceptional manuscript, explained Dr. Jill Unkel, Curator of Western Collections at the Chester Beatty. “Sometimes when our manuscripts feature in a wider exhibition, our visitors may not be able to study them closely. The real beauty in this manuscript is the layers of intricate detail, meaning, and care the artist applied to the work. Every time you see it, you can find a new, hidden detail and this makes for such a joyful experience. By highlighting the book through this in-focus exhibition, visitors can delve deep into its pages, uncovering the layers of history and artistry woven into every illustration and border. We hope that visitors will find both enjoyment and enlightenment as they explore this remarkable manuscript and engage with the accompanying events we have planned.”

Chester Beatty Director, Fionnuala Croke said, “The launch of ‘Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours’ marks the first in a series of in-focus exhibitions that will allow us, and our visitors, to closely engage with some of our collection’s rarest and most captivating objects. This first exhibition shines a spotlight on the unique qualities of the Hamilton Field Book of Hours, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and exquisite illustrations. We look forward to sharing more rarely seen treasures from our collections in the coming months.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by an educational calendar that includes a series of Wednesday evening public talks, an Audio-Descriptive tour and family activities.

For more information: https://chesterbeatty.ie/exhibitions/heavenly-flowers/

Admission is free.