The Wedding Hours is a highly important work of cultural heritage, and is of exceptional historical and art-historical value. This manuscript is the long-lost wedding gift created for Bianca Maria Sforza (1472-1510) upon her marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor elect, Maximilian I of Austria-Habsburg. The book was commissioned by the noblewoman's uncle, Ludovico 'Il Moro' Sforza and not only testifies to the high level of Renaissance art made for the Sforza family in Milan, but also shows how art was used to link social, religious, and political life. 

Also have a look at our video on the Emperor Maximilian as a Romantic Hero.