The Walters Art Museum announced on March 11 the opening of “Medieval Mindscapes,” an exhibition that explores how books of hours used visual strategies to engage users’ imaginations in medieval Europe. The display, curated from the museum’s collection of rare books and manuscripts, features 22 works and will be on view on Level 3 of the Centre Street building until August 23.
The exhibition highlights the role of books of hours in fostering private devotion and imaginative interaction with art. These personalized manuscripts often included custom portraits or visual illusions to help users connect with spiritual themes. Lauren Maceross, Zanvyl Krieger Curatorial Fellow for Rare Books and Manuscripts, said, “These books were crafted to really involve their owners in handling them and thinking about their imagery. It wasn’t passive looking; it was an active process.” Maceross added, “This exhibition puts an emphasis on the way books of hours engaged users’ imaginations. As a universal human capability, this creative mental play is timeless, and provides a bridge that connects these books’ medieval readers to our audience today. What visitors learn in this exhibition may even inspire their own creativity!”
Among the works displayed are three fifteenth-century Belgian books of hours. One includes a portrait of its female patron depicted as the Virgin Mary during the Annunciation, reflecting her aspirations for virtue and fertility. Another features a lifelike rosary illustration wrapping around text, while a third shows a smiling skeleton holding a mirror—likely representing death—prompting viewers to reflect on mortality.
The Walters Art Museum houses more than 36,000 objects from cultures worldwide across seven millennia, according to the official website. Its rare book collection spans over two thousand years and includes illuminated manuscripts from various regions as well as significant early printed editions by figures such as Aristotle and Euclid.
As a public cultural institution focused on art, the museum fosters community connections through its inclusive approach and seeks to connect art and people in an environment welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds. The museum also maintains one of the oldest conservation laboratories in the United States known for research and treatment efforts according to its official website. Visitors have access to high-resolution digital images of its collection for public use.
Admission to both the museum and special exhibitions is free.
