Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus – Orbis Mediaevalis – Ms. OP N.º 2 – The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia)

France — End of the 14th century

Splendid pictures of aristocratic hunting parties at their royal pastime: a luxuriously illuminated guide to hunting with Gaston Phoebus's teachings on hunting techniques and the training and care of horses and hunting dogs

  1. A comprehensive textbook on medieval hunting that was written by the Count of Foix himself

  2. Dedicated to Philip the Bold (1342–1404), Duke of Burgundy, it also covers the training of hunting dogs

  3. 78 full-page miniatures show large, aristocratic hunting parties participating in their royal pastime

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Gaston III, Count of Foix and also known by the epithet Phoebus, composed a work in the 14th century that made him unforgettable: the famous Livre de la chasse, the Book of Hunting. Dedicated to Philip the Bold, this treatise deals with courtly hunting and presents itself as a comprehensive textbook on the subject. It describes, for example, natural scientific and biological information about huntable wildlife and how to track them down, and gives instructions on the successful training, medical care, and grooming of hounds. In the Hermitage in St. Petersburg is kept a particularly beautifully illuminated manuscript of this Book of Hunting by Gaston Phoebus. Created in France towards the end of the 14th century, this masterpiece of Gothic book art delights with splendid, gold-adorned miniatures in elegant frames and large, artistic initials with scroll ornament. In this way, it also offers a unique insight into the late 14th century aristocratic society!

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Gaston II, Count of Foix and also known by the epithet Phoebus, composed a work in the 14th century that made him unforgettable: the famous Livre de la chasse, the Book of Hunting. Dedicated to Philip the Bold, it is concerned with the theme of courtly hunting and presents itself as a comprehensive textbook on the subject. A particularly beautiful illuminated manuscript of this Book of Hunting by Gaston III is stored in St. Petersburg. Originating from France at the end of the 14th century, this masterpiece of illumination amazes with magnificent miniatures in elegant frames. In this way, it offers a unique glimpse into the late 14th century!

The Hunt in the Middle Ages

A pack of hunting dogs dash through the forest, followed by lordly riders on noble steeds. A wild boar flounders in the hunter’s nets, and a bird of prey is prepared to help with the hunting of rabbits. All of these wonderful scenes play out in the illustrations of the Livre de la chasse by Gaston III also known as Gaston Phoebus. Gaston III (1331–1391), the Count of Foix, was the author of this famous French treatise on hunting. He composed an exciting textbook of medieval hunting between the years 1387–1389. The hunt was a privilege of the rulers and noblemen for a long time and was presented in all its facets in the Book of Hunting.

A Noteworthy Edition

The Livre de la chasse by Gaston III survives in several manuscripts, some of them illustrated. These are found in the Parisian Bibliothèque Nationale and the Morgan Library in New York, inter alia. A particularly beautiful specimen can be found in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Manuscript OP N.º 2 of their manuscript collection arose in France at the end of the 14th century, and thus shortly after the creation of the text its self. The treatise on hunting, spanning 224 pages with an impressive format of 33 x 23 cm, is illustrated with 78 full-page miniatures.

A Marvelous Image of the 14th Century

A half-page miniature above or below the text accompanies each of the explanations about hunting. These scenes were surrounded by fine, ornamental frames. Delicate floral bordures and precious gold initials round out the splendid overall impression of the manuscript. The depictions present all aspects of the theme, which are addressed in the famous treatise. Gaston III’s textbook, which was dedicated to Philip the Bold, contains natural scientific and biological information about wild game and gives some directions for the specific training of hunting dogs. In combination with its wonderful miniatures, the St. Petersburg manuscript of the Livre de la chasseone of the most beautiful examples of this tradition of hunting books – offers a magnificent glimpse into the 14th century!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Libro de la Caza de Gastón III
Livre de la Chasse
Buch der Jagd
Size / Format
224 pages / 33.0 × 23.0 cm
Origin
France
Date
End of the 14th century
Style
Language
Script
Gothic
Illustrations
78 half-page miniatures, all pages with floral bordures, numerous large initials in red, blue, and gold
Content
Treatise on hunting
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus – Orbis Mediaevalis – Ms. OP N.º 2 – The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2010
Limited Edition: 995 copies
Detail Picture

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Caring for Hunting Dogs

The medieval hunt required different kinds of four-legged helpers who are the modern predecessors of breeds including greyhounds, bloodhounds, and mastiffs. Not only used to find and flush game, hunting dogs also fought dangerous game like boar and bear alongside their human partners. Various huntsmen are shown maintaining their master’s dogs before a diamond-patterned background of red and gold: claws are being filed, rotten teeth are being pulled, and injured legs are being bandaged.

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus – Orbis Mediaevalis – Ms. OP N.º 2 – The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Single Page

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus

Hunting a Wolf

The war between man and wolf was the great unsung struggle of the Middle Ages. Europe was covered by forests and packs of wolves presented a serious threat not only to farmers’ flocks but to the members of the community – especially children. Framed by elegant tendrils and accompanied by a splendid “C” initial, this miniature is presented before an elegant, checkered gold leaf background.

The dynamic scene shows the wolf in mid-stride as a nobleman on horseback and armed with a sword pursues alongside a pack of hounds while a huntsman on foot stops to throw a spear at the fleeing beast. Furthermore, the artist has included numerous details from the clothing to the equipment, such as the hunting horns worn by the two men on horseback.

Book of Hunting of Gaston III Phoebus – Orbis Mediaevalis – Ms. OP N.º 2 – The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro de la Caza de Gastón III

Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2010

Publisher: Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2010
Limited Edition: 995 copies
Binding: Blue lamb leather with gold embossing on the spine and edges
Commentary: 1 volume by Elena Solomakha
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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