They included the 37 Psalms that made up the ''Hours of the Virgin,'' a ''Calendar'' naming each day of the year after a saint honored on that date, the ''Office of the Dead,'' and other texts for religious use. For 300 years, the ''Books of Hours'' mirrored, or served as a counterpoint, to the intimate convictions of believers. Their dramatic transformation in that lapse of time matches the metamorphosis of European society from one driven by religion into one concerned about worldly matters only. A noblewoman kneels hands joined in prayer, like some three-dimensional effigy under the pinnacles of a Gothic structure. She stares at a sculptural group of the Virgin and Child set upon a draped altar, as if hypnotized by the youthful smile of Mary - the statue is as much of flesh and blood as the praying woman.
Daily life intrudes.
A tiny lapdog with an ornate collar seated on its hind legs looks up at Mary, in unison with his mistress. Along the frame, animals, birds and mythical creatures make up a surreal pageant full of irony. An irate white bird turns its head to look indignantly at the praying woman. Further up, a well-fed white dog with flapping ears looks up as if he would dearly like to bite a hare standing on its hind legs one rung up. In one miniature, Mary enthroned under an arch holds up a red pomegranate as she gazes at a tiny robed Jesus standing on her lap.