Evening star., 1940-06-30
From War>Torn France Comes Beautiful Volume
Facsimiles of Famous 18th Century Examinations
Work Reproduces
DUO du Berry's
Prayer Book
Bv Leila MechHn.


France was fighting with her back
to the wall, French publisher
issued and sent to this country
facsimile edition of the famous Lies
Tres Riches Heures du Due de
Berry" one of the most beautiful
books in the world-so fine in itself,
so superior in workmanship, that
for all time it may be considered a
miracle of color printing.
Les Tres Riches Heures du Due
de Berry has for many years, after
passing through many hands, been
the priced possession of the Conde
Museum at Chantilly, through the
courtesy and kindness of which it is
now given to the world. A 18th
century manuscript, handprinted
and gorgeously Illuminated, it was
begun in 1409 to satisfy the desire
of one of the greatest art patrons of
that period, Jean de France, the
Due de Barry, to possess a prayer
book which would, in caligraphy and
Illumination, approximate perfection.
To this end, he secured the services
of Pol Malouel (known, because of
his birthplace, as Pol de Limbourg),
great illuminator and artist
painter of miniatures-who aSso-
ciated with himself in this work his
brothers, Hennequin and Hermant.
Completed by Colombo.
Before the work was completed
the Due de Berry died and the heirs
to his estate, having other interests,
dismissed those he had employed
on this great undertaking and laid
the vellum pages away in a casket,
where, for SO years, they remained
untouched. That was from l416 to
1485. In the latter year, upon his
marriage to Blanche de Montferrat,
this precious manuscript came into
the possession of the Due de Savoie,
Charles I; and, finding it incomplete,
he and his wife had it brought out
and finished. This was done by
Jean Colombo. brother of Michel
Colombo, sculptor of Bourges, and of
the u illuminations, each represent
ing a month in the calendar year,
in the original Book of Hours, two
are by Colombo and 10 by Pol de
Linbourg. In form, Colombo fol-
lowed his predecessor, but not in
style; but this, in itself, creates ad-
ditional interest.
Each of the illuminations is pic
ture complete in itself, measuring
5l4 by inches and topped by
seni-circular panel representing the
heavens, deep blue and star covered,
on which are painted the signs of
the Zodiac, with letters and figures
standing for the months and days. |
These pictures are the perfection of
miniature paintin g-marvelously
drawn, gorgeously colored, exqui-
sitely rendered. No wonder it took
seven years to do the first 10 and
two to complete the number. Not |
only did these painters spare no |
pains in the matter of execution, |
but they were prodigal in the use
Of pigments of great costliness. such |
as lapis lazuii. and in the addition, |
for its decorative quality, of pure |
gold. Well, indeed, may this book |
be called-as it has been repeatedly
the Monarch Of Manuscripts"
In each picture now so perfectly !
reproduced is presented a scene typi-
cal Of life in 18th century France,
according to the season and loca- |
ton, in the background of which is
set forth with utmost architectural |
and historical accuracy a chateau |
or castle owned or closely associated |
with the life of the Due de Berry. |
nl1 AaL
are those of Lusignan, Dourdan and |
Vincennes. the last being the Due
de Berry's birthplace; while among !
the castles are the old Louvre, the
Palace and Sainte- -Chapelle, as they |
were seen from the windows of his |
residence in Paris.
Sporting Scenes Included.
The first of the scenes represented |
is of feast at which the Due de |
Berry is presiding. This is the most |
elaborate composition of all, and it |
shows the rear wall of the banquet |
hall hung with superb Gothic |
tapestry. The scenes that follow are
of snow in the country of spring
planting and narrowing, of fall har-
vesting of grain and grapes. Also, |
there are sporting scenes and scenes |
of hunting as we'll as of holiday |
festivities, all of which are rendered |
with animation as we'll as historical |
accuracy. In some of these pictures, |
as many as 20 figures are introduced, |
besides animals, birds and the like. |
The faces are rendered with marked |
individuality and expressiveness. |
Even in the costumes there is exact
ness the design and texture of the
fabrics being perfectly reproduced.
The miniatures by Pol de Linn
bourg are in the style of the Persian
illuminations of an earlier period, in !
the way of daintiness, but are more
pictorial and better unified. They
tell their story accurately and fully, !
but impersonally. Those by Co.
lombe evidence transition in style
during the intervening years. They
are less dainty and more virile; the
impression given is of larger paint
angs reduced, whereas those by Pol
reflect things seen without stressing
or calling attention to the art of the
poA1lNSA' al OAilo PAL llSOlnl4 GllC
works of Colombo foreshadowed the
art of day then long to come
that in which we are now living.
Pol was true miniaturist, working
ain little" with spacious suggestion,
adapting his method to his need,
his manner to his theme and never
forgetting his function as illumina-
tor; whereas Colombo was first and
foremost a painter and used his
theme in part to serve his own end
The one obliterated self, the other
was f-conscious. The contrast is
striking.
The task of reproducing in fac
simile these precious, jewel-like
paintings Of such small dimensions
presented many and serious difficult
y -