Piety, Passion, and Politics: 15th-Century Art in Northern Europe and Spain
	French Manuscript Illumination :: 15th-Century Flemish Art :: 15th-Century French Art :: 15th-Century German Art :: 15th-Century Spanish Art
	FRENCH MANUSCRIPT ILLUMINATION In the Late Gothic world, western Europe north of the Alps experienced the calamities of war and plague, and the social turmoil and dislocations that accompanied dying feudalism. Crisis in the religious world pitted the French against the Italians. In the Hundred Year's War (1337 - 1453) there was a series of conflicts between France and England and revolts erupted in Flanders. Consolidating political power: Structured bureaucracies, royal courts, and parliamentary assemblies were becoming the norm, creating conflicts with the cumbersome arrangements of lingering feudal governance. Emerging capitalism: Responding to financial requirements of trade, new credit and exchange systems created an economic network of enterprising European cities. The trade in money accompanied the trade in commodities, and the former financed the industry. Both were in the hands of trading companies with central offices and international branches; the Medici of Florence were a notable example of such a trading firm. The first international stock exchange, established in Antwerp in 1460, became pivotal for Europe's integrated economic activity. Flourishing art: The 15th century witnessed the increased use of oil paints in Flanders, the maturation of manuscript illumination, and the invention of movable-type printing in Germany. Northern European art of the 15th century focuses on piety and political power, and the relationship between the two. A new vision of space: Illuminations took on more pronounced characteristics as illusionistic scenes; rather than appear simply as images on flat surfaces. Manuscripts were colorfully illuminated with intricate shapes and patterns that expanded in size to occupy whole pages. Very sumptuous hours: The illuminations by Jean Pucelle in the Belleville Breviary occupy the entire page. The borders include decorative tendrils, ivy , floral ornaments, insects, small animals, and grotesques. An Opulent Prayer Book: In the Trés RichesHeures du Duc de Berry, the Limbourg Brothers include calendar pictures with the 12 months represented in terms of the associated seasonal tasks. In a lunette above each picture is the chariot of the sun shown passing through the 12 months and zodiac signs. The inclusion of everyday genre scenes reflects the increasing integration of religious and secular concerns in both art and life at the time. 20-1: LIMBOURG BROTHERS (POL, HENNEQUIN, HERMAN), January, from Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 1413-1416. Tempera (need to check with owning institution), and ink on vellum, approx. 8 ½" x 5 ½". Musée Condé, Chantilly. January Limbourg Limbourg January Limbourg 20-2: LIMBOURG BROTHERS (POL, HENNEQUIN, HERMAN), October, from Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 1413-1416. Tempera (need to check with owning institution), and ink on vellum, approx. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Musée Condé, Chantilly. October October October Detail Limbourg
	French Manuscript Illumination :: 15th-Century Flemish Art :: 15th-Century French Art :: 15th-Century German Art :: 15th-Century Spanish Art