Condensed_Limbourg_Brothers_Belles_Heures_of_Duc_de_Berry

Page 1: Title Page

• Title: The Art of Illumination

• Featured Artists: The Limbourg Brothers

• Work: The Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry

• Exhibition: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Page 2: Introductory Page

• Focus: Overview of the Art of Illumination

Page 3: Content Placeholder

Page 4: Title & Author Information

• Full Title: The Art of Illumination: The Limbourg Brothers and the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry

• Author: Timothy B. Husband

• Publication Information: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Press

Page 5: Exhibition and Publication Details

• Exhibition Dates:

  • J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles: November 18, 2008 - February 8, 2009

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: September 22, 2009 - January 3, 2010

• Support: Made possible by the Michel David-Weill Fund.

• Publisher and Design Team:

  • John P. O'Neill, Publisher and Editor in Chief

  • Elizabeth L. Block, Editor

  • Bruce Campbell, Designer

  • Photographic Team: Peter Antony and Bonnie Laessig

  • Printing by Conti Tipocolor s.p.a., Florence, Italy

Page 6: Introduction to the Belles Heures

• Significance: Discusses artistic styles and significance of the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry.

Page 7: Patronage and Evolution

• Patrons: Phillips the Bold and Jean de Berry

  • Their commissioning of the Limbourg brothers shaped the artwork's direction.

• Evolution: The Belles Heures transitioned from a simple Book of Hours to a complex illustrated manuscript amid the death of the previous duke.

Page 8: Limbourg Brothers' Innovations

• Artistic Approaches:

  • Experimentation with light and narrative coherence.

  • Artistic laboratory for compositional and emotive content.

• Expansion of Manuscript: Ambitious works marked their significant artistic development.

Page 9: Significance of Books of Hours

• Books of Hours:

  • Overview of their role in lay devotional practices during the Middle Ages.

  • Descriptions of components found within typical French Books of Hours.

Page 10: Historical Context and Continuation

• Cultural Shifts: The rise of personal piety and individual worship practices in urban settings.

• Significance: Belles Heures as a prime example of this cultural development.

Page 11-80: Manuscript Characteristics and Artistic Techniques

• Technical Observations:

  • Describes the materials, techniques, and artistic methods used by the Limbourg brothers.

  • Insights into manuscript preparation, including vellum quality, pigment application, and gilding methods.

  • Discussion on the evolution of artistic styles from early influences to the development of unique techniques.

• Illustrations: Examples from specific illuminations in the Belles Heures highlight the application of techniques and artistic evolution.

Page 81-89: Conservation Efforts

• Condition:

  • Summary of the physical state of the manuscript and the effects of time.

  • Insights into prior conservation efforts and challenges faced with the Belles Heures manuscript.

Page 90-93: Summary of Materials Analysis

• Pigment Analysis:

  • Description of various pigments identified and their properties.

  • Challenges with certain materials and their implications for future conservation.

• Material Insights: Observations made via scientific analysis and how they inform understanding of the artwork's history.

Page 94-100: Final Information and Reflections

• Concluding Thoughts:

  • The manuscript encapsulates exceptional beauty and artistry representing the Limbourg brothers' work.

  • Final thoughts on the lasting legacy of the Belles Heures in the context of art history.