# The Rothschild Prayer Book [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [HORENBOUT, Gerard]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Manuscript, 228 x 160 mm ## Commentary This prayer book was formerly in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna from the heirs of the Rothschild family \(Codex Vindobonensis Ser. n. 2844\). It constitutes an outstanding example of the Ghent/Bruges style in the period around 1510. The 67 full-page miniatures are largely the work of Horenbout, although Gerard David, Simon Bening and others also contributed to it. In the depiction accompanying the Masses, Horenbout makes use of a special device, arranging the iconographic programme of the pictures on two levels: pictures with the actual ceremonial instructions face those containing the liturgical contents of the Mass. The left-hand miniature on the open double page of the manuscript \(folios 236v and 237r\) shows a procession of saints. The border is ornate with various flowers and a butterfly, below a Moor is shown waving a cornflower. The ornamental page on the right shows a wide variety of flowers. The scattered elements in the border decoration are painted in such a naturalistic and illusionistic manner that they even seem to cast shadows on the parchment ground. ## Related artworks - [Book of Hours]() - [Grimani Breviary]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of April]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of August]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of December]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of February]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of January]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of July]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of June]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of March]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of May]() - [Grimani Breviary: The Month of November]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()