The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry (Reproduced from the Illuminated Manuscript Belonging to the Musee Conde, Chantilly, France).

Translated from the French by Victoria Benedict - Photographed & Printed in France by Draeger Freres, Paris.

Published by George Braziller, New York, 1969

COLLECTIBLE: GORGEOUS: A TREASURE: SPLENDID: Exceptionally well-preserved, apparently unread-perused AS-NEW First Edition hardcover (Stated 1969, specific Printing Unstated; we believe this the First Printing), NEAR FINE protective slipcase (it has certainly done its job) beautifully illustrated on front panel & w/ sharp AS-NEW edges & corners BUT Slightly-MARRED w/ sun-toasted title panel on slipcase-spine w/ slightest shelf-dust soiling around edges, BEAUTIFUL AS-NEW silk-finish linen-over-boards covers w/ sharp AS-NEW edges & corners decorated w/ fleur-de-lys emblazoned armorial shield gilt-stamped on front panel, IMMACULATE smooth-cut text-block exterior, IMPECCABLE variegated-yellow-gold card-stock end-papers, PRISTINE interior w/ authoritative explanatory texts accompanying images reproduced in GORGEOUS full color * 8.18" x 11.74" x 1.16", 1.78 kg, c. 300 pp. Slipcase: 8.50" x 12.0" x 1.64", 2.04 kg * CONTENTS: Preface (7), Introduction (13), Selective Bibliography (27), Note to the Plates (39), The Plates with Commentaries: 139 plates gorgeously reproduced in VIVID full-color (31-End), c. 300 pp * ABOUT THE BOOK: Cited as "one of the miracles of art history" by Kenneth Clark, "The Très Riches Heures" is the most luxurious & most famous of illuminated medieval manuscripts & marks the zenith of manuscript illumination in late medieval Europe. Commissioned by the influential patron, Jean de Berry, in the early years of the 15th century, this masterpiece was executed by the 3 Limbourg brothers (Paul, Herman & Jean), the greatest miniaturists of the time. The manuscript opens with a calendar illuminating scenes of daily life during the twelve months and is followed by the prayers of offices celebrated at different times of the day. These texts are often accompanied by miniatures, in which the artists' imaginative and decorative genius are fully revealed. The personal approach of the Limbourgs to nature, human activity, & beauty represents the transition from medieval attitudes to those of the Renaissance. Their elegant images, in fact, were to influence the course of painting in France & all of Northern Europe; but, as Millard Meiss comments, "no painter could match the smooth perfection of their surface, their limpid color and complex simplicity. Their art could capture the delicate transitory beauty of a newly opened flower." This edition reproduces each of the miniatures in "The Très Riches Heures" to scale & in full color, elegantly capturing both the subtle color & minute detail of these historic images. * SHIPPING: MNEMOSYNE carefully wraps, labels & custom-packages this SPLENDID book w/ our greatest elegance & care for FREE shipment via USPS MEDIA MAIL within the U.S. w/ shipment via USPS PRIORITY MAIL for a below cost fee & shipment to international destinations via Mandatory (due to its weight) USPS PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL AIRMAIL at rates available on request. Seller Inventory # 010594

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of ...
Publisher: George Braziller, New York
Publication Date: 1969
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Limbourg Brothers (Paul, Herman & Jean): 139 plates gorgeously reproduced in vivid full-color
Condition: As New
Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine slipcase with Near F
Edition: 1st Edition