Cleveland Museum of Art

Leaf from a Book of Hours: Adoration of the Magi

Master of Thomas Hoo

Date

c. 1440–50

Medium

ink, tempera and gold on vellum

Culture

France, Paris

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Adoration of the Magi, an important image in Christian tradition that recalls the visit of three kings to see the newly born Jesus, is depicted here. The artist, known as the Master of Thomas Hoo, gets his name from a book of hours made for Lord Thomas Hoo, chancellor of Normandy and of France. His work is characterized by a rich palette, lush draperies, and finely delineated landscapes. The artist thickly applied gold leaf to the crowns and halos and used liquid gold to highlight the hems of his figures’ garments. This page begins the prayers to be said at the hour of sext, or the sixth hour of the day (around noon).

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