DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14714#0044
DESCRIPTION OF MS.
THE " HOURS" OF ST. LOUIS,
PRESERVED IN THE BIBLIOTHEQUE DU ROI, PARIS.
This manuscript was executed about the middle of the thirteenth century, perhaps about 1250; but it does not present the ordinary
features of ornament of the period, which consisted generally of richly interlaced foliage work, in which were introduced various
grotesque animals, &c, &c. The ornaments of this volume are, on the contrary, extremely simple in their style; the small
borderings round the miniatures, and large letters, being evidently founded upon Byzantine models, which still preserved much of the
style and simplicity of ancient art. The costumes and architecture displayed in the miniatures, are, however, those of Western
Europe of the period, the architecture being of that epoch of the Gothic, known among the architects of this country as "early English."
We have deviated in this instance from our rule of giving an entire page of each manuscript; for the " Hours of St. Louis" form a
large folio volume, the text of which is written in two columns, the only decorative features being, the comparatively small miniatures
and capital letters. An entire page would, therefore, only have exhibited an enormous mass of text, only enlivened by the capital
D and the small miniature which we have selected as examples, and which, on that account, we thought it much better to detach.
The capital D commences the words " Dixit incipiens in," which are contained within the same square. In the upper compartment
of the letter there is a kneeling figure (probably that of St. Louis) before one of the Deity, enclosed in the symbolic vessica piscis.
In the miniature, the subject to the right is the sacrifice of Isaac, which is very curious, as representing Abraham in the costume
of a knight of the thirteenth century, completely clothed in the chain armour of the period.
In the library of the Arsenal, another book which belonged to St. Louis is still preserved: it is a very richly illuminated psalter,
the decorations of which are somewhat more in the usual style of the period, and of which it is our intention to give a specimen in
this work.
THE " HOURS" OF ST. LOUIS,
PRESERVED IN THE BIBLIOTHEQUE DU ROI, PARIS.
This manuscript was executed about the middle of the thirteenth century, perhaps about 1250; but it does not present the ordinary
features of ornament of the period, which consisted generally of richly interlaced foliage work, in which were introduced various
grotesque animals, &c, &c. The ornaments of this volume are, on the contrary, extremely simple in their style; the small
borderings round the miniatures, and large letters, being evidently founded upon Byzantine models, which still preserved much of the
style and simplicity of ancient art. The costumes and architecture displayed in the miniatures, are, however, those of Western
Europe of the period, the architecture being of that epoch of the Gothic, known among the architects of this country as "early English."
We have deviated in this instance from our rule of giving an entire page of each manuscript; for the " Hours of St. Louis" form a
large folio volume, the text of which is written in two columns, the only decorative features being, the comparatively small miniatures
and capital letters. An entire page would, therefore, only have exhibited an enormous mass of text, only enlivened by the capital
D and the small miniature which we have selected as examples, and which, on that account, we thought it much better to detach.
The capital D commences the words " Dixit incipiens in," which are contained within the same square. In the upper compartment
of the letter there is a kneeling figure (probably that of St. Louis) before one of the Deity, enclosed in the symbolic vessica piscis.
In the miniature, the subject to the right is the sacrifice of Isaac, which is very curious, as representing Abraham in the costume
of a knight of the thirteenth century, completely clothed in the chain armour of the period.
In the library of the Arsenal, another book which belonged to St. Louis is still preserved: it is a very richly illuminated psalter,
the decorations of which are somewhat more in the usual style of the period, and of which it is our intention to give a specimen in
this work.