DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45257#0241
THE DUC DE BERRY’S INVENTORY 155
of that period. Moreover, the miniatures of that
period have not shared the disastrous vicissitudes
of the larger works. Thus the illuminated MSS.
preserved at Chantilly offer a special interest and
are of an almost unique value in the general history
of Art.
By a fortunate chance an Inventory has come
down to us, compiled in 1516, immediately after
the death of the Due de Berry, brother of King
Charles V of France. This document contains
a catalogue of all the art-treasures in his posses-
sion ; but hardly any names of artists are mentioned
except those of Pol Limbourg and his brothers.
Among the entries the following is worth quoting:
“ Piasters cayers dune Tres Riches Heures qui
faisoient Pol et ses freres, tres richement histories
et enlumines"—a note which refers without a
doubt to the MS. of Les Tres Riches Heures
now at Chantilly. Another document of no
less importance is one drawn up by Francois
Robertet, Secretary to the Due de Bourbon, which
informs us that several of the miniatures in
the MS. of Josephus’ Antiquities are by Jehan
Fouquet, Court-Painter to Louis XI. Thus it
has been possible to identify the authentic work
of the Limbourgs and of Fouquet, some of the
finest examples of which are to be found in the
Mus£e Condd.
Unfortunately these flashes of light are very
rare; and absence of record is no doubt one of the
chief reasons why French paintings of this period
of that period. Moreover, the miniatures of that
period have not shared the disastrous vicissitudes
of the larger works. Thus the illuminated MSS.
preserved at Chantilly offer a special interest and
are of an almost unique value in the general history
of Art.
By a fortunate chance an Inventory has come
down to us, compiled in 1516, immediately after
the death of the Due de Berry, brother of King
Charles V of France. This document contains
a catalogue of all the art-treasures in his posses-
sion ; but hardly any names of artists are mentioned
except those of Pol Limbourg and his brothers.
Among the entries the following is worth quoting:
“ Piasters cayers dune Tres Riches Heures qui
faisoient Pol et ses freres, tres richement histories
et enlumines"—a note which refers without a
doubt to the MS. of Les Tres Riches Heures
now at Chantilly. Another document of no
less importance is one drawn up by Francois
Robertet, Secretary to the Due de Bourbon, which
informs us that several of the miniatures in
the MS. of Josephus’ Antiquities are by Jehan
Fouquet, Court-Painter to Louis XI. Thus it
has been possible to identify the authentic work
of the Limbourgs and of Fouquet, some of the
finest examples of which are to be found in the
Mus£e Condd.
Unfortunately these flashes of light are very
rare; and absence of record is no doubt one of the
chief reasons why French paintings of this period