One of the most significant manuscripts in world literature is considered to be the luxurious and magnificent book of hours of the Duke of Berry, created at the beginning of the IIV century by order of the son of the King of France, Jean Berry.
The artists who applied the brush to the manuscript
The manuscript is 412 pages of religious handwritten text. Decorated with numerous miniatures, decorated in expensive binding, decorated with gilding. Unfortunately, the manuscript was never completed.
The Limburg brothers
In the first composition of the artists of the book of hours, the brothers Limburg are mentioned. They worked for several years in the service of the Prince of Berry, and with their help, biblical motives came to life on the sheets of parchment, appearing before our contemporaries in a fairly good condition. Unfortunately, the French brothers never finished work on the manuscript, having died of diphtheria a few years after the start of work - the book of hours of the Duke of Berry was completed after them.
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Jean Colomb and unknown authors
The Duke commissioned the miniaturist Jean Colombes to complete the voluminous work of the Limburg brothers. However, he did not manage to complete the creation of the theologian! According to some reports, 27 artists worked on the creation of the manuscript for 80 years, but they never finished this work of art.
The Duke's library, as narrated by the theologian
The theologian's plot is not exclusively religious in nature, although most of the works of that time were retelling biblical parables. The manuscript tells about the fall of Adam, and about the seasons, and about human anatomy, and even about the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Even the plan of Rome and the calendar of church holidays took place in this amazing and progressive calendar of the time. It is worth noting the skilfully drawn miniatures of the theologian, which tell the reader about the architecture and painting of that time. A special highlight of the manuscript is the list of tasks to be completed in a given month. For example, October means sowing winter crops. Another innovation of the "calendar" of that time is the image of the zodiac signs corresponding to the month.
What has become of the theologian now
Prince Jean of Berry or "the king of hours" - became the first of dozens of owners of the manuscript. Later, the manuscript was passed down from generation to generation, from one prince to another. Until now, the fate of the tax-collector of the great work is unknown. And between scientists there is a stormy talk when the conversation concerns the book of hours of the Duke of Berry. However, you can see this unique manuscript in the Condé museums. The library of the great and enlightened duke is also kept in the said museum, which was previously a castle.