DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14714#0050
DESCRIPTION OF MS.
THE "HOURS" OF THE DUKE OF ANJOU
IN THE BIBLIOTHEQUE DU ROI, PARIS.
This manuscript belongs to the end of the fourteenth century, probably about the year 1380; it is an example of one of the richest
styles to which the class of design that has been called the ivy-leaf pattern belongs. This style, which first appeared as a well-defined
style about the beginning of the fourteenth century, soon became very general. At first it was very simple, consisting generally of a gold
bar dividing into two branches of ivy-leaves at each extremity; these branches gradually became more complicated in their ramifications,
and eventually broke out in various parts of the bar, as in our example. These extra branches soon became decorated with birds and
other small objects, and subsequently, as in the missal known as the il small hours" of Jean Due de Berri, with quaintly-conceived
monstrosities, composed partly of the human figure, and partly of some beast, or some other object still more incongruous. Another
feature in the last epoch of the ivy-leaf style was extraordinarily intricate circular convolutions of the branches at the exterior angles of
the pages, as in the magnificent volume known as the " great hours" of the same Due de Berri, both in the Bibliotheque du Roi, Paris.
But to return to the description of the volume containing our present specimen; it is profusely decorated throughout with borderings
in the style of the page given as a specimen; and of miniatures, which at this period were remarkable for their beauty, there is an absolute
profusion, the whole of them very expressive, and even fine in design, of which the one on our specimen page may be cited as an example;
the positions of several of the figures being highly characteristic, and that of the female figure behind the Virgin really grand, as
expressive of frantic grief. To those acquainted with illuminated miniatures of the best class of this period, it is perhaps needless to
observe that those in this exquisite volume are wrought with the most minute and extraordinary degree of accuracy of line, and high
finish. The damask patterns of the backgrounds, another marked feature of this peculiar period, are also wrought with the most elaborate
care, some in blue, and some in red, and all varying in their intricate and lace-like patterns. In our specimen page the arms of Berri—
field azure, seme of fleur-de-lis, with an engrailed bodcr, gules, &c.—occupy the open space within the capital G. The arms of Anjou
occur in other parts of the volume. This exquisite volume formed part of the great La Valliere collection, in the catalogue of which it
is minutely described. At the sale of that collection it passed into the Bibliotheque du Roi.
THE "HOURS" OF THE DUKE OF ANJOU
IN THE BIBLIOTHEQUE DU ROI, PARIS.
This manuscript belongs to the end of the fourteenth century, probably about the year 1380; it is an example of one of the richest
styles to which the class of design that has been called the ivy-leaf pattern belongs. This style, which first appeared as a well-defined
style about the beginning of the fourteenth century, soon became very general. At first it was very simple, consisting generally of a gold
bar dividing into two branches of ivy-leaves at each extremity; these branches gradually became more complicated in their ramifications,
and eventually broke out in various parts of the bar, as in our example. These extra branches soon became decorated with birds and
other small objects, and subsequently, as in the missal known as the il small hours" of Jean Due de Berri, with quaintly-conceived
monstrosities, composed partly of the human figure, and partly of some beast, or some other object still more incongruous. Another
feature in the last epoch of the ivy-leaf style was extraordinarily intricate circular convolutions of the branches at the exterior angles of
the pages, as in the magnificent volume known as the " great hours" of the same Due de Berri, both in the Bibliotheque du Roi, Paris.
But to return to the description of the volume containing our present specimen; it is profusely decorated throughout with borderings
in the style of the page given as a specimen; and of miniatures, which at this period were remarkable for their beauty, there is an absolute
profusion, the whole of them very expressive, and even fine in design, of which the one on our specimen page may be cited as an example;
the positions of several of the figures being highly characteristic, and that of the female figure behind the Virgin really grand, as
expressive of frantic grief. To those acquainted with illuminated miniatures of the best class of this period, it is perhaps needless to
observe that those in this exquisite volume are wrought with the most minute and extraordinary degree of accuracy of line, and high
finish. The damask patterns of the backgrounds, another marked feature of this peculiar period, are also wrought with the most elaborate
care, some in blue, and some in red, and all varying in their intricate and lace-like patterns. In our specimen page the arms of Berri—
field azure, seme of fleur-de-lis, with an engrailed bodcr, gules, &c.—occupy the open space within the capital G. The arms of Anjou
occur in other parts of the volume. This exquisite volume formed part of the great La Valliere collection, in the catalogue of which it
is minutely described. At the sale of that collection it passed into the Bibliotheque du Roi.