What was the purpose of the Les Très Riches Heures?

It is a book of hours: a collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours. It was created between c. 1412 and 1416 for the extravagant royal bibliophile and patron John, Duke of Berry, by the Limbourg brothers.

What does Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry mean in English?

The Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry or simply the Très Riches Heures (The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry) is a richly decorated Book of Hours. Such books contained prayers to be said by lay faithful at each of the canonical hours of the day. The book was commissioned by Jean, Duc de Berry around 1410.

Who was the patron of Les Très Riches Heures?

Herman, Paul and Jean de Limbourg, January, from Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 1413-16, ink on vellum (Musée Condé, Chantilly). The figure in a blue robe on the opposite side of the table is a portrait of the patron, Jean de France, duc de Berry.

What do we see at the top of each page of Très Riches Heures the very sumptuous Book of Hours )?

The Tres Riches Heures Likewise we also see the inside the palace. For example, in January (in full at the top of the page, and detail above) we see an image of the Duke himself, sitting at the head of the table while all around presents are exchanged.

What is the medium of Les Très Riches Heures?

Painted in gouache on parchment (vellum), The Tres Riches Heures includes 416 pages, 131 of which have large miniatures, while many more are decorated with border illustrations or large historiated initials, as well as 300 ornamented capital letters.

How are peasants depicted in the Très Riches Heures?

How are peasants depicted in the Très Riches Heures (Fig. 19-5)? They are happily working or amusingly uncouth. The printing technique of engraving probably derived from workers in what trade?

What is the Très Riches Heures October?

The manuscript passed to King Charles VII, the Duke’s brother, and the image for the October calendar was finished by another artist. In the warmer parts of Europe, the wine regions, October marked the month when the grapes harvested in September were put into barrels for aging.

What is the medium of Les Tres Riches Heures?

What does the half circle at the top of the pages of Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry represent?

In addition to the signs of the zodiac and the figure of Apollo holding the flaming sun the semicircle at the top provides detailed astronomical information for every day of the month of March. It shows, for example, the positions of the moon, the times of sunrise and sunset, etc.

What does the half circle at the top of the pages of Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry?

In addition to the signs of the zodiac and the figure of Apollo holding the flaming sun the semicircle at the top provides detailed astronomical information for every day of the month of March.

What does the scene of October in Les Tres Riches Heures communicate?

It illustrates the calendarium – a monthly list of saints’ days – in Jean’s Very Rich Book of Hours, a private devotional collection of prayers to be recited at regular hours. Scenes from the labours of the month, for October tilling and sowing, illuminate each precious calendar page.