Codex Rotundus

Bruges (Belgium) — End of the 15th century

A truly unique specimen of medieval book art: an almost perfectly round Gothic book of hours with three ornate clasps and enchanting miniatures and historiated initials within the smallest space.

This is no extravagant gimmick, but rather book illumination and bookbinding artistry of the utmost excellence: the only surviving round book from the Middle Ages consists of 266 almost circular parchment leaves with a diameter of only 9 cm. What a bookbinding feat to hold them all together with a spine of only 3 cm! Therefore, three gold clasps, each crafted in the shape of a Gothic monogram, help to hold this small and fragile treasure together when closed. The painter of this Codex Rotundus, who collaborated with the famous Master of the Dresden Prayer Book in Bruges in at least one case, was obviously inspired to reach his peak form by the challenge of the tiny format. The three full-page, round miniatures are certainly an astonishing result. And even more concentration on the essentials may have been necessary for the even smaller 30 historiated initials, each of which tells its own story. A true unicum of medieval book production!

Medieval and early modern book culture has produced outstanding and extraordinary manuscripts time and time again: luxury bindings, illustrations generously endowed with gold and silver, written on magenta colored parchment. However, good things often come in small packages, and so is the case with this manuscript: it fascinates not only due to its small size, but moreover because of its form. The Codex Rotundus is a 266 page book of hours in Latin and French. The manuscript is unique in form and size: the pages are approximately circular in shape and measure a little over 9 cm in diameter. The feat of book binding here is enormous: since the layers are bound together on a mere 3 cm book spine, the body of the book is be held together by 3 clasps. The original clasps were re-used when the book was rebound in the 17th century; each clasp is an artful monogram shaped in the form of different gothic alphabetic letters.

Patronized by the Duke of Cleves?

Evidence for whom this opulent and entertaining book was originally intended can be found in initial “D” in folio 24r, which introduces the Divine Office to the Holy Cross: the first text after the French calendar. This initial “D” contains a coat of arms in its interior, which the next owner of the book had apparently attempted to erase. However, one can still make out small pieces of reddish Cleves carbuncle and golden flecks from the chequered balk of the County of Mark, as well as a blue heart-shaped shield. Therefore, it can only be assumed that the first owner of this manuscript was most likely also its patron: Adolph of Cleves.

Adolph of Cleves and the Dukes of Burgundy

Adolph of Cleves, Lord of Ravenstein and Winnendahl (1425–1492), was from a noble family with the strongest of ties to the court of the dukes of Burgundy. He was the nephew of Phillip the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1396–1467) and having been raised in this court, he participated in all the great campaigns of his uncle’s reign. Charles the Bold (1433–77), son and successor of Phillip the Good, later named Adolph Viceroy of Arras and finally appointed him to Governor General of the Netherlands in 1475. The connection between Adolph and the Burgundian court would be yet further strengthened through his marriage with Anna of Burgundy (1435–1508), one of the illegitimate daughters of Philip the Good and governess to Mary of Burgundy (1457–1482), granddaughter of Phillip the Good. Mary herself became so fond of Adolph that she chose him as godfather of her first-born child, Philip I, in 1478. After Mary’s death, Adolph of Cleves was appointed Regency Council for their son by her husband Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519).

A Display of Wealth and Taste

When one considers all these royal ties strongly influencing Adolph, it becomes clear not only why he chose to have his book of hours made in the Bruges workshop, but also his desire to possess such an extravagant and extraordinary book. While at the Burgundian court, he had come in contact with the most highly developed book culture, whose innovation was admired by all. References to Adolph are also found in the monogrammed clasps which fasten the book. The unusually stylized letters cannot be read clearly to this day. However, the same decorative letters adorn some borders of another book of hours owned by Adolph in Baltimore (Walters Art Gallery, W 439). In folio 13v/14r of this book one finds the fully preserved painting of the coat of arms from Adolph of Cleves, removing any doubt as to the identity of the coat of arms in the Codex Rotundus.

The Flemish School with an Individual Character

Not only are the individual pages in a round format but so are the text and three full-page miniatures. These unique features, as well as the 30 historiated initials come from one of the most highly regarded original book painters who has gone down in art history following the Hildsheim manuscript as the “Painter of the Codex Rotundus”. Stylistic parallels tie the painter of the Codex Rotundus to yet another great Bruges book painter, the “Master of the Dresden Prayer Book” whom we know our painter worked with on at least one occasion. More than likely, the painter of the Rotundus had also worked for some time in the Bruges workshop of the Dresden Master and was therefore inspired by many different stylistic perspectives.