Petites Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry

Petit Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry is an illustrated book of hours. John, Duke of Berry ordered it, between 1375 and about 1385. It is an illuminated manuscript known for its miniatures. In the Middle Ages, miniatures were small drawings that were made in books, to illustrate the text. A book of hours is a special prayer book. Such books were fashionable aomng nobles, and other well-off people. Today, the Petites Heures is known for its illustrations and border decorations. 

To make the book, several artists worked together. It was made in two different stages. These stages can be seen even today, as each stage has a style of its own. Arists such as Jean Pucelle illustrated the first stage. The second stage was made by people who were part of the International Gothic movement. For this reason, the  Petites Heures  shows what experts call a rupture in style, which occurred in France in the 14th century. It simply means that style of the first period is notticeably different form that of the second period. 

In 1988, a high-resolution copy (called a faksimile) was created.

In total, John of Berry commissioned six books of hours, between 1375 and 1416. The Petites Heures was the first one. It contains 182 miniatures. Work was started in 1375. Work was stopped aorund 1380, and the book didn't get finished until 1385 or 1390. Today, it is at the French National Libraty in Paris. Its referene number is ms. lat. 18014.

 Other websites 

 Digitised copy of the Petites Heures at the BNF
 Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Ms. lat. 18014 / Petites Heures of the Duke of Berry facsimilefinder.com

Category:Manuscripts