DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22424#0142
128
SIB JOHN SOANE'S COLLECTION.
Letter IT.
very wide borders. It contains 356 pages, and is a very rich and
splendid volume. In the beginning is an inscription, both in Italian
and German, stating that this book was presented by Wolfgang
Wilhelm, Pfalzgraf of the Rhine, to Johanna, Duchess of Villenosa,
his mother. This is a fresh proof of the influence which the style of
art proper to the French miniature-painters exercised even upon the
Dutch artists, for both the technical process and the combination of
colours show the French manner. Nay, even the mode of conception
is frequently so alike that one would be inclined to ascribe these
miniatures to French artists, if the following reasons did not decide
them to be of Dutch origin. The tendency is throughout realistic;
the proportions of the figures very short. In the Calendar, such
saints as Lievin, Quentin, Lambert, Medardus, Gildardus, Gudula,
point to Belgium, and Wolfgang, Christine, Columban, and Kuni-
gunde to Germany. From these facts, and from the style of the
pictures, I should conclude that this work was executed, both text
and pictures, in Holland. The Calendar, which occupies 12 pages,
is one of the richest I know ; the text of each page being framed in
the following manner. Above, in colours, upon a blue field, is the
sign of the Zodiac ; below, occupying the whole width, and care-
fully finished, the appropriate occupation of the month. On the
wide border, in brown and gold, are events from Bible history; on
the narrower border, two saints as statues, in the same style. Thus
on the page dedicated to January the wide border contains the
Presentation, the Adoration of the Kings, and the Conversion of
St. Paul. Of the various miniature-painters engaged in the de-
coration of this work, the author of the pictures in the Calendar
may be considered the most frenchified. In the essentials of the
art he is weak, the compositions are tasteless, the motives tame, the
heads spiritless, and the drawing insignificant; while, on the other
hand, the colouring is lively, and the execution very skilful and
careful. By his hand are the majority of the other pictures; for
instance, the Visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. Among the
other painters, some are far superior. I may mention at once the first
picture, representing Christ in Glory, and occupying a whole page.
Here the old mosaic type, though somewhat softened, is adhered to,
while the execution, in colours of unusual force, is very careful.
Christ on the Mount of Olives, and Christ betrayed by Judas, are
both, as in the French school, treated as night-pieces. Judging
SIB JOHN SOANE'S COLLECTION.
Letter IT.
very wide borders. It contains 356 pages, and is a very rich and
splendid volume. In the beginning is an inscription, both in Italian
and German, stating that this book was presented by Wolfgang
Wilhelm, Pfalzgraf of the Rhine, to Johanna, Duchess of Villenosa,
his mother. This is a fresh proof of the influence which the style of
art proper to the French miniature-painters exercised even upon the
Dutch artists, for both the technical process and the combination of
colours show the French manner. Nay, even the mode of conception
is frequently so alike that one would be inclined to ascribe these
miniatures to French artists, if the following reasons did not decide
them to be of Dutch origin. The tendency is throughout realistic;
the proportions of the figures very short. In the Calendar, such
saints as Lievin, Quentin, Lambert, Medardus, Gildardus, Gudula,
point to Belgium, and Wolfgang, Christine, Columban, and Kuni-
gunde to Germany. From these facts, and from the style of the
pictures, I should conclude that this work was executed, both text
and pictures, in Holland. The Calendar, which occupies 12 pages,
is one of the richest I know ; the text of each page being framed in
the following manner. Above, in colours, upon a blue field, is the
sign of the Zodiac ; below, occupying the whole width, and care-
fully finished, the appropriate occupation of the month. On the
wide border, in brown and gold, are events from Bible history; on
the narrower border, two saints as statues, in the same style. Thus
on the page dedicated to January the wide border contains the
Presentation, the Adoration of the Kings, and the Conversion of
St. Paul. Of the various miniature-painters engaged in the de-
coration of this work, the author of the pictures in the Calendar
may be considered the most frenchified. In the essentials of the
art he is weak, the compositions are tasteless, the motives tame, the
heads spiritless, and the drawing insignificant; while, on the other
hand, the colouring is lively, and the execution very skilful and
careful. By his hand are the majority of the other pictures; for
instance, the Visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. Among the
other painters, some are far superior. I may mention at once the first
picture, representing Christ in Glory, and occupying a whole page.
Here the old mosaic type, though somewhat softened, is adhered to,
while the execution, in colours of unusual force, is very careful.
Christ on the Mount of Olives, and Christ betrayed by Judas, are
both, as in the French school, treated as night-pieces. Judging