Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly (Collection)

Château de Chantilly was built in the 16th century by Anne de Montmorency (1493–1567), Constable of France
After a turbulent history, the castle became a museum housing ca. 700 manuscripts and 12,000 precious books
These ten specimens represent a gorgeous survey of masterpieces ranging from the 10th to the 16th centuries

Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly (Collection)

Description

Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly (Collection)

The Musée Condé is one of the most impressive libraries in the world, and is made all the more so because it is housed in the Château de Chantilly, the most beautiful castle in France. The historic collection houses some of the finest specimens of medieval illumination and early book printing in the world, a sampling of which is presented here.

Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly (Collection)

Château de Chantilly is arguably the most beautiful castle in France. The beautiful Renaissance castle, located north of Paris, was built in the 16th century by Anne de Montmorency (1493–1567), a French soldier, statesman, and diplomat who rose to be awarded both Marshall of France and Constable of France. Belying its serene architecture and gardens, the Château de Chantilly experienced a turbulent history, having been destroyed in the chaos of the French Revolution and then entirely rebuilt between 1875 and 1882. It was bequeathed to the Institute de France in the 19th century, by Henri d'Orléans (1822–97), Duc d’Aumal – son of the King Louis-Philippe I (1773–1850). It now houses the Musée Condé, one of the most impressive and beautiful libraries in the world, which accommodates inter alia one of the most famous manuscripts of all time, the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. The historic library contains ca. 700 manuscripts and 12,000 precious books. Here we present ten exemplary specimens from this incredible manuscript collection, a sampling of masterpieces ranging from the 10th to the 16th centuries.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Meisterwerke aus dem Musée Condé im Schloss Chantilly
Type: Manuscript on paper|Manuscript on parchment
Date: 10th century – 16th century
Epochs: High Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages Onwards
Early Middle Ages
Style: Ottonian
Romanesque
Gothic
Renaissance
Genre: Single Leaf Collections

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly

Description de Venise – Piazza San Marco

This miniature shows Venice’s famous central square, at the western edge of which stands the iconic tower known as St. Mark’s Campanile. The basilica of the same name stands at the eastern edge of the plaza and is recognizable by the four Horses of Saint Mark installed on the balcony above the portal in 1254, taken as loot in the infamous Sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. Three flags with the Winged Lion, symbol of Venice, can be seen flying between the two famous edifices.

Single Page

Collection of Masterpieces from Musée Condé in Chantilly

Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry – May

The splendid calendar from this famous French manuscript is considered to be an exemplary collection of twelve masterpieces. Normally referred to as “labors of the month”, they do not always show people working but also depict leisure activities typical for the season. This sumptuous cavalcade of nobles is enjoying the return of spring.

Beneath a beautiful sky with the zodiac symbols for Taurus and Gemini, and beyond the woods, we see the roof and spires of a splendid building, which is debated to be either the ducal palace of Riom or the Palais de la Cité in Paris. Crowns and necklaces made of foliage, as well as green dresses, possibly indicate that this was part of a May 1st tradition, made all the more festive by the musicians leading the column.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Meisterwerke aus dem Musée Condé im Schloss Chantilly

Müller & Schindler – Simbach am Inn

Publisher: Müller & Schindler – Simbach am Inn

Limited Edition: 980 copies

Commentary: 1 volume
Language: German

1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. The facsimile edition contains 10 individual facsimile leaves from 10 different manuscripts: 1. Très Riches Heures (1410/16; nach 1485. Frankreich), fol. 5v: May Calendar Sheet 2. Ingeborg-Psalter (um 1200, Nordfrankreich), fol. 14v, The Roots of Jesus 3. Stundenbuch des Etienne Chevalier (nach 1452, Paris), 24.2: Adoration of the Magi 4. Buch der Liebenden (Anfang des 16. Jh.s, Frankreich), fol. 14r: Future Plans 5. Fragment eines Registrum Gregorii. sog. Otto-Blatt (nach 983, Trier): Enthroned Emperor Otto II 6. Traites de Falconnerie et de Vénerie (15. Jh., Frankreich), fol. 1v 7. Stundenbuch des Anne de Montmorency (1549. Frankreich), fol. 40v-. Susanna Bathing 8. Flavius Josephus. Antiquitates Judaicae (12. Jh.. Flandern). Initial IN (Creation of the World) 9. Description de Venise 115. Jh.. Frankreich!. fol. 4v, St. Mark's Square in Venice 10. Le livre de bonnes meurs (15. Jh. Frankreich), fol. 99r, Diogenes and Crates of Thebes

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