The Love Knot: The Book of Hours of Hendrik III van Nassau and Mencía de Mendoza

We are proud to announce the publication of The Love Knot: The Book of Hours of Hendrik III van Nassau and Mencía de Mendoza, authored by Prof. Carla Rossi, philologist and art historian, and released by Imago Srl La nobiltà del facsimile (2025).

This scholarly Commentary offers an in-depth analysis of the precious Book of Hours W.425, a masterpiece of 16th-century Flemish illumination attributed to the renowned workshop of Simon Bening. Through meticulous archival research, Prof. Rossi demonstrates that the manuscript was commissioned by the learned Renaissance noblewoman Mencía de Mendoza as a gift for her husband, Hendrik III of Nassau.Richly illuminated and adorned with intricate marginalia and devotional scenes, the codex reflects not only the splendour and sophistication of its time but also the emotional resonance of a union symbolised by the "love knot" motif throughout the manuscript.

The journey of this extraordinary Book of Hours — from its origins in Valencia to Paris, New York, and finally its home at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore — mirrors the vibrant interconnectedness of Renaissance Europe.Prof. Rossi's study situates the manuscript within the broader historical and cultural context of transnational artistic exchanges, aristocratic patronage, and manuscript circulation.

Grounded in material philology, codicology, and historical analysis, The Love Knot is a significant contribution to Book of Hours studies, Flemish illumination scholarship, and Renaissance cultural history.Her approach, blending deep philological insight with cultural reconstruction, exemplifies responsible and rigorous academic work, standing firm against the erosion of scholarly standards.

Despite enduring defamatory attacks aimed at undermining her contributions, Prof. Rossi continues to advance manuscript scholarship with integrity, innovation, and international recognition.

➡️ Discover more about the book here https://books.google.ch/books?id=5opJEQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=it&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false