# Prayer Book [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [LOCHNER, Stefan]() - Date: 1401-1450 - Technique: Manuscript \(Ms. 70\), 108 x 80 mm ## Commentary Prayer Book 1451 Manuscript \(Ms. 70\), 108 x 80 mm Hessische Landesbibliothek, Darmstadt This tiny manuscript contains a Book of Hours in German, illustrated by Stefan Lochner, one of Germany's most important late Gothic painters, who was active in Cologne, running a very productive workshop from 1442 until his death. The workshop produced altarpieces and devotional pictures as well as book illustrations. However, only three prayer books survive as examples of such work. On this double-page spread \(folios 22v and 23r\) not only the portrayal of the Annunciation on the left leaf, but also the magnificent initial filled with acanthus foliage and a flower on the opposite page, are impressive. The Annunciation scene embraces the customary traditions, which, however, it transforms into an especially charming and intimate image. The page opposite is probably the most beautiful ornamental page of the book. The border is made up of undulating vine stems, decorated with stylised foliage, flowers and fruit. ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Child Jesus]() - [Adoration of the Magi]() - [Altarpiece of the Patron Saints of Cologne]() - [Madonna of the Rose Garden]() - [Martyrdom of the Apostles Altarpiece \(interior left wing\)]() - [Prayer Book]() - [Prayer Book]() - [Presentation of Christ in the Temple \(detail\)]() - [Presentation of Christ in the Temple \(detail\)]() - [Presentation of Christ in the Temple]() - [Sts Anthony the Hermit, Cornelius and Mary Magdalen with a Donor]() - [Sts Mark, Barbara and Luke]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()