Philippe Pigouchet

Philippe Pigouchet was a Parisian printer and engraver who excelled at printing Horae or Books of Hours. There are over 150 of his known works, of which 90 are Books of Hours. His book design exhibits dense complexity of illustrations, typography, and ornaments compressed into space.

Pigouchet printed most of his work for the publisher and bookseller Simon Vostre. The Books of Hours, for which the two were most famous, had the same basic texts in every book but they were simply adapted by adding a small number of extra items dedicated to saints that were prominent in the diocese where the books were to be sold. By this little trick Horae became unique books easily printed for a large market. They were also printed on vellum, and sometimes hand colored, what added to their cost.