Douce Roman de la Rose

A controversial love story was begun by Guillaume de Lorris ca. 1235 and was finished by Jean de Meung ca. 1280
Completely new narrative techniques were used in the first French story written in the first person
Robinet Testard illuminated the manuscript with 127 miniatures and countless decorated initials for Louise of Savoy (1476–1531)

Douce Roman de la Rose

MS Douce 195 Bodleian Library (Oxford, United Kingdom)

Description

Douce Roman de la Rose

The Douce Roman de la Rose in the Bodlein Library is one of the richest illuminated manuscripts of the medieval bestseller. It was commissioned by Louise of Savoy (1476–1531), who at the time of its creation was still Countess of Angoulême, and was decorated by Robinet Testard (fl. 1475–1531) with a total of 127 expressive, narrative miniatures and dozens of golden decorated initials. The Romance of the Rose, begun by Guillaume de Lorris around 1235 and completed by Jean de Meung in Paris around 1280, was one of the most widely read works in France until the Renaissance. It was not only the use of the first-person perspective that was groundbreaking, but also the allegorical figures and the presentation of the entire narration in the form of a dream. At the same time, however, the Old French work was already highly controversial in the 13th century: while some were disturbed by the uncommonly sensual language and erotic motifs, others criticized the misogyny it manifested – among them for example Christine de Pizan (1364–1429).

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Il manoscritto Douce 195
Roman de la Rose - Ms. Douce 195
Romance of the Rose
Rosenroman
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 312 pages / 34.2 × 23.5 cm
Origin: France
Date: Between 1487 and 1496
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Literature / Poetry
Language: French
Script: French littera bastarda
Illustrations: 7 large and 120 column-wide miniatures, numerous decorated initials
Content: Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun
Patron: Louise of Savoy (1476–1531)
Artist / School: Robinet Testard (illuminator)
Previous Owners: Justin MacCarthy-Reagh
George Hibbert
Francis Douce

Available facsimile editions:

Single Page

Douce Roman de la Rose

The Dream Begins

The first page of the manuscript combines opulent illumination with references to the author and the patron. A floral border with several animal and human drolleries encloses the beginning of the verse novel. It begins with a blue initial “M” displaying the joined coats of arms of the Houses of Orléans and Savoy in its interior field – the heraldic symbol of Louise of Savoy (1476–1531) after her marriage.

Above the text are two small miniatures in a coherent frame of delicate Gothic architectural elements. The author's portrait on the left shows Guillaume de Lorris working on his best-selling novel – under the watchful gaze of two curious bystanders. The miniature on the right is the visual introduction to the story: Aman, the first-person narrator and protagonist, lies fully clothed on his bed of precious textiles, having fallen asleep with a scroll in his hand. The empty chair invites the reader to join him and follow his dream, but is guarded by his loyal dog.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Il manoscritto Douce 195

Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2017

Publisher: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2017

Limited Edition: 409 copies (399 hand-numbered, 10 unnumbered)

Binding: Brown leather binding with rich gold tooling. Comes in a protective slipcase.

Commentary: 1 volume by Roberta Manetti, Nathalie Coilly and Martin Kauffmann
Language: Italian

Facsimile Copy Available!

Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

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Douce Roman de la Rose

Douce Roman de la Rose

Codicology

Douce Roman de la Rose

The Dream Begins

#1 Il manoscritto Douce 195

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