Fine Art Friday - Le Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

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The Tres Riches Heures is _the_ classic example of a medieval book of hours. This was a collection of the text for each liturgical hour of the day - hence the name - which often included other, supplementary, texts. Calendars, prayers, psalms and masses for certain holy days were commonly included.

The pictures in this directory are from the calendar section of the Tres Riches Heures. This was painted some time between 1412 and 1416 and is arguably the most beautiful part of the manuscript; it is certainly the best known, being one of the great art treasures of France. In terms of historical and cultural importance, it is certainly equal to more famous works such as the Mona Lisa, marking the pinnacle of the art of manuscript illumination.

The Tres Riches Heures was painted by the Limbourg brothers, Paul, Hermann and Jean.

Jean de Berry was one of the highest nobles in 15th-century France.

To learn more about this Book of Hours please visit The University of Chicago's website and Wikipedia

To view the complete calendar please visit Web Museum