Walters Ms. W.175, Masters of the Dark Eyes Missal

W.175

Masters of the Dark Eyes Missal

Missal

This Latin Missal was written in Utrecht, Netherlands, ca. 1500. Portraits of the original owners, whose names are not recorded, are accompanied by heraldry indicating that the husband was of the family of St. Férréol of Dauphiné; the wife was of the Cambronne of Ponthieu family. The manuscript is heavily illuminated with more than fifty historiated initials and miniatures by a group of artists known in scholarship as the "Masters of the Dark Eyes." The marginal decoration is also notable, for along with naturalistic flowers, insects, and jewels, there are several instances where the margin itself is historiated. This Missal provides an excellent example of the "Masters of the Dark Eyes" style, and there are a number of related manuscripts that have been identified by these same artists, including two at The Hague: KB, 76 G 9, and KB, 135 E 19.

Late 15th century to early 16th century CE

Utrecht, Netherlands

Supplied name: Masters of the Dark Eyes

Book

Liturgical

The primary language in this manuscript is Latin.

Parchment

Medium-weight, well-finished cream-colored parchment; heavier parchment used for illuminated pages

Foliation: ii+234+ii

The first and fourth flyleaves are modern paper; the second and third flyleaves are parchment, although they do not appear to be original or integral to the quires to which they are attached; two sets of foliation: an older foliation (beginning on fol. 5) written in red roman numerals, middle of upper margin, versos, and modern pencil foliation, upper right corners, rectos (used here)

Formula: 1(6,-1,-5), 2-13(6), 14(8,-1), 15(8,-1), 16-17(6), 18(8,-1), 19(6,-6), 20(10,-1,-9), 21-22(6), 23(4), 24-31(6), 32(6,-6), 33(6), 34(8,-1), 35-36(6), 37(8,-4), 38(6), 39(6,-6)

Catchwords: None

Signatures: Quires 3-39 marked with pencil at bottom inside on the first recto

Comments: Quires begin on fols. 1(1), 5(2), 11(3), 17(4), 23(5), 29(6), 35(7), 41(8), 47(9), 53(10), 59(11), 65(12), 71(13), 77(14), 84(15), 91(16), 97(17), 103(18), 110(19), 115(20), 123(21), 129(22), 135(23), 139(24), 145(25), 151(26), 157(27), 163(28), 169(29), 175(30), 181(31), 187(32), 192(33), 198(34), 205(35), 211(36), 217(37), 224(38), 230(39); in quire 39, two folios (232 and 233) are singletons hooked in

17.4 cm wide by 22.6 cm high

12.3 cm wide by 16.8 cm high

1. Columns: 2
2. Ruled lines: 19-33
3. Ruled in red ink; majority of manuscript is ruled with 33 lines, however two sections are different: fols. 110v-114v (27 lines) and fols. 116r-121v (19 lines)

fols. 1r - 234r:

1. Title: Missal
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Hand note: Bâtarde, in two sizes according to liturgical function; same script and hand, but larger module on more widely spaced lines, for prefaces of the canon, and canon of the mass
4. Decoration note: One full-page and one half-page miniature; fifty historiated initials (5-14 lines); periodic marginal illumination, ranging from a small strip to all four margins, containing illusionistic flowers, insects, jewels, textiles, and occasionally figures; enlarged foliate initials throughout (3-6 lines); smaller blue and gold initials throughout (2 lines); rubrics in red; text in brown ink

fols. 1r - 3v:

1. Title: Calendar
2. Rubric: Januarius hat dies XXXI. luna XXX.
3. Contents: Calendar is for use of Utrecht; laid out with two months per page; half-full; graded in red and brown ink; notable saints include: SS. Pontian, Pancratii, Servati, Odulphi, Lebuini, Lambert, Bavo, and Willibrord

fols. 4r - 4v:

1. Title: Blessing of salt and water
2. Incipit: Adiutorium nostrum

fols. 5r - 91v:

1. Title: Temporale: part I
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Incipit: Ad te levavi
4. Decoration note: Historiated initials, fols. 5r, 13r, 14r, 73r, and 90v; column miniatures, fols. 15r, 17r, 83v, and 85v

fols. 92r - 110r:

1. Title: Votive masses
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Rubric: In commemoratione sancto spiritus.
4. Incipit: Spiritus Domini repleu
5. Decoration note: Historiated initials, fols. 92r-v, 93v, 94v, 95r, and 105v; column miniatures, fols. 93r and 97r

fols. 110v - 114r:

1. Title: Preface of the Mass
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Incipit: In nomine patris et filii

fols. 115v - 121v:

1. Title: Canon of the Mass
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Incipit: Te igitur
4. Decoration note: Full-page miniature, fol. 115v; historiated initial, fol. 116r

fols. 122r - 150v:

1. Title: Temporale: part II
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Rubric: Dominica prima post octavas penthecostes.
4. Incipit: Domine in tua
5. Decoration note: Half-page miniature, fol. 122r

fols. 151r - 207r:

1. Title: Sanctorale
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Incipit: Dominus secus mare
4. Decoration note: Historiated initials, fols. 151r,158v, 163r, 166r, 173r, 175r, 176v, 187v, 191v, 193r, 202r, 205r, and 206v; column miniatures, fols. 152v, 153r-v, 155r, 156r, 161v, 165r, 178v, 180r, 181r-v, 186r, 189r, 194v, 196r, 199v, 201r, and 203v; figural margin fol. 171v

fols. 208v - 220r:

1. Title: Common of Saints
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes

fols. 221r - 234r:

1. Title: Sequences
2. Artist: Masters of the Dark Eyes
3. Rubric: In nocte nativitatis Domini
4. Incipit: Congaudent angelorum chori gloriosae virgini

fol. 5r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "A" with David kneeling
3. Form: Historiated initial "A," 13 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Incipit

fol. 13r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "D" with the Nativity
3. Form: Historiated initial "D," 11 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Christmas

fol. 14r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "C" with St. Stephen
3. Form: Historiated initial "C," 6 lines
4. Text: Temporale: December 26

fol. 15r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "I" with St. John the Evangelist
3. Form: Historiated initial "I," 6 lines
4. Text: Temporale: December 27

fol. 17r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "E" with the Adoration of the Magi
3. Form: Historiated initial "E," 10 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Epiphany

fol. 73r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "R" with Christ risen from tomb
3. Form: Historiated initial "R," 12 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Easter

fol. 83v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "U" with the Ascension
3. Form: Historiated initial "U," 12 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Ascension

fol. 85v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with Pentecost
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 12 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Pentecost

fol. 90v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with the Throne of Grace
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 12 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Trinity

fol. 91r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "C" with the Host in a monstrance
3. Form: Historiated initial "C," 6 lines
4. Text: Temporale: Corpus Christi

fol. 92r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 8 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: Commemoratione sancto spiritus

fol. 92v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "N" with cross
3. Form: Historiated initial "N," 7 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: De sancta cruce

fol. 93r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "I" with the Christ Child
3. Form: Historiated initial "I," 8 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: De dulci nomine christi

fol. 93v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with crown of thorns
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 6 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: De spinea corona

fol. 94v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "H" with heart and four wounds
3. Form: Historiated initial "H," 6 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: De quinque vulneribus iesu christi

fol. 95r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "R" with Virgin and Child
3. Form: Historiated intiial "R," 12 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: De domina nostra in adventu

fol. 97r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "U" with Pieta, and historiated margin depicting life of Christ
3. Form: Historiated initial "U," 14 lines, and historiated margin
4. Text: Votive masses: De septem doloribus beate marie
5. Comment:

   The scenes in the margin, starting from the bottom left corner, are: Presentation, Flight into Egypt, Christ among the Doctors, Christ carrying the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Entombment.

fol. 105v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "R" with souls in flames
3. Form: Historiated initial "R," 6 lines
4. Text: Votive masses: In anniversariis et exeguiis defuncto

fol. 115v:

1. 
2. Title: Crucifixion
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Canon of the Mass

fol. 116r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "T" with God the Father
3. Form: Historiated initial "T," 6 lines
4. Text: Canon of the Mass: Te igitur
5. Comment:

   This figure is the equivalent of 12 lines high when viewed alongside the other images, as the line spaces are twice as wide in this section of the manuscript.

fol. 122r:

1. 
2. Title: Christ risen, with donors
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Temporale: First Sunday after Pentecost
5. Comment:

   The heraldry indicates that the husband was of the family of St. Férréol of Dauphiné, and the wife was of the Cambronne/Ponthieu family.

fol. 151r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "D" with St. Andrew
3. Form: Historiated initial "D," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Vigil of St. Andrew

fol. 152v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Barbara
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Barbara

fol. 153r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with Joachim and Anna embracing
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 7 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the conception of the Virgin

fol. 153v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "I" with St. Thomas
3. Form: Historiated initial "I," 6 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Vigil of St. Thomas

fol. 155r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with St. Anthony
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Anthony

fol. 156r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "M" with St. Agnes
3. Form: Historiated initial "M," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Agnes

fol. 158v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with Presentation in the Temple
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 10 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

fol. 161v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "I" with St. Matthew
3. Form: Historiated initial "I," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Vigil for St. Matthew

fol. 163r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "R" with the Annunciation
3. Form: Historiated initial "R," 10 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Annunciation

fol. 165r:

1. 
2. Title: SS. Philip and James
3. Form: Column miniature, 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of SS. Philip and James

fol. 166r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "N" with the cross
3. Form: Historiated initial "N," 6 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the discovery of the Cross

fol. 171v:

1. 
2. Title: Ten thousand martyrs
3. Form: Historiated margin
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the ten thousand martyrs

fol. 173r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "D" with St. John the Baptist
3. Form: Historiated initial "D," 7 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. John the Baptist

fol. 175r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "N" with SS. Peter and Paul
3. Form: Historiated initial "N," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of SS. Peter and Paul

fol. 176v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with the Visitation
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Visitation

fol. 178v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Margaret
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 11 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Margaret

fol. 180r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Mary Magdalene
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 13 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

fol. 181r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "M" with St. James the Great
3. Form: Historiated initial "M," 7 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Vigil of St. James the Great

fol. 181v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Anne and the Virgin and Child
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 11 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Anne

fol. 186r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "C" with St. Lawrence
3. Form: Historiated initial "C," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Lawrence

fol. 187v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with the Assumption of the Virgin
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 11 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Assumption

fol. 189r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "M" with St. Bartholomew
3. Form: Historiated initial "M," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Bartholomew

fol. 191v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with the Nativity of the Virgin
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin

fol. 193r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "N" with the cross
3. Form: Historiated initial "N," 5 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

fol. 194v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "O" with St. Matthew writing his Gospel
3. Form: Historiated initial "O," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Matthew

fol. 196r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "B" with the Archangel Michael
3. Form: Historiated initial "B," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Archangel Michael

fol. 199v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Ursula and a pope, bishop, and maidens
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 6 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the 11,000 Virgins

fol. 201r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "M" with SS. Simon and Jude
3. Form: Historiated initial "M," 7 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of SS. Simon and Jude

fol. 202r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with the Coronation of the Virgin
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Coronation of the Virgin

fol. 203v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "S" with St. Martin dividing his cloak
3. Form: Historiated initial "S," 9 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Martin

fol. 205r:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with the Presentation of the Virgin
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 7 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin

fol. 206v:

1. 
2. Title: Initial "G" with St. Catherine of Alexandria
3. Form: Historiated initial "G," 8 lines
4. Text: Sanctorale: Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria

The binding is not original.

Likely rebound c. 1840 by C. Meyer; dark blue morocco with gold tooling; spine inscribed "Missale Romanum MS"

Written in the Utrecht, Netherlands, ca. 1500; arms of first owners on fol. 122r indicate husband was of family of St. Férréol of Dauphiné, and the wife was of the Cambronne of Ponthieu family

Duke of Hamilton collection; not a Hamilton Palace Ms. (is not traced in 1882 catalogue), but added by Trubner of Straßburg to Hamilton Mss. he bought in Berlin and sold in 1889

W. Flower, by purchase from Hamilton sale, London, 1889, no. 40 (catalogue description pasted on recto of first flyleaf)

Henry White collection, before 1902; his bookplate with arms and motto on front pastedown

Edwards, purchased from White sale, London, 1902, no. 1513

Henry Walters, Baltimore, obtained from W.M. Voynich, before 1931

Walters Art Museum, 1931, by Henry Walters' bequest

De Ricci, Seymour. Census of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the United States and Canada. Vol. 1. New York: H. W. Wilson Company, 1935, p. 777, cat. no. 129.

Strittmatter, Anselm. "The Mass-formulary for the Feast of St. Benedict in Walters Manuscript 11." In Miscellanea Liturgica in onore di L. Cuniberto Mohlberg. 2 vols. Bibliotheca Ephemerides Liturgicae 23. Rome, Edizioni Liturgische, 1949, pp. 139-146.

Miner, Dorothy. "Dutch Illuminated Manuscripts in the Walters Art Gallery." Connoisseur Yearbook, 1954-55, p. 77.

Broekhuijsen, Klara H., and Anne S. Korteweg. "Twee boekverluchters uit de Noordelijke Nederlanden in Duitsland." In J.B. Bedaux and A.M. Koldeweij, eds. Annus quadriga mundi opstellen over middeleeuwse kunst opgedragen aan Prof. Dr. Anna C. Esmeijer. Zutphen: Walburg Pers, 1989, pp. 49-75 (on illuminations of other mss by Masters of the Dark Eyes).

Broekhuijsen-Kruijer, Klara H. The Masters of the Dark Eyes: Late Medieval Manuscript Painting in Holland. Turnhout: Brepols, 2009.

Principal cataloger: Marrow, James

Catalogers: Dutschke, Consuelo; Herbert, Lynley; Valle, Chiara

Editor: Herbert, Lynley

Copy editor: Dibble, Charles

Conservators: Owen, Linda; Quandt, Abigail

Contributors: Bockrath, Diane; Boot, Christine; Emery, Doug; Noel, William; Pizzinato, Riccardo; Tabritha, Ariel; Toth, Michael B.

The Walters Art Museum

Licensed for use under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Access Rights, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode. It is requested that copies of any published articles based on the information in this data set be sent to the curator of manuscripts, The Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201.