Libro de Horas de María de Navarra

On 26 April 1342, Peter the Ceremonious wrote to his wife, Queen Mary of Navarre, asking her to send him from Valencia, as quickly as possible, the extremely beautiful book of hours painted by Ferrer Bassa (oras pulcriores...quas depinxit Pferrarius Bassa). The document emphasises that this extraordinary work of art was admired far and wide and not only by a king whose meticulousness, love of detail and desire for perfection caused him to be known as Ceremonious.

The Book of Hours of Maria of Navarre has been considered to be the first, fascinating and early representative of the globalisation of culture. The scenes painted in this magnificent manuscript reveal the Sienese influence which softens the plastic language imposed by Giotto and incorporates the rhythm and vitality of Gothic drawings.

The Book of Hours of Maria of Navarre also has the honour of being the first book of hours to be painted on the Iberian Peninsula.

Contents
Noticias codicológicas y sobre su procedencia - Susy Marcon
Estudio paleográfico - Mª Josefa Arnall
María de Navarra y la ilustración del libro de horas de la Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana - Joaquín Yarza Luaces
Transcripción - Mª Josefa Arnall
Traducción - J. M. García de la Mora