Flemish Chronicle of Philip the Fair

One of the few illuminated children’s books originated in Belgian Bruges ca. 1485–90. The splendidly colorful pictorial history of the Duchy of Burgundy with short text passages originated as a schoolbook for the then seven-year-old Philip the Fair (1478–1506). He was supposed to be the first Hapsburg king in Spain and would rule over the Kingdoms of Castile and León. The vivid and bright pictures of the 30-page manuscript visualized the significance of his family for him at an early age. A portrait of the author of the text, who also probably Philip’s teacher, the chronicler and poet Olivier de la Marche, serves as the prelude for the eleven full-page miniatures and numerous initials both large and small.

Ducal Miniatures

The content of the manuscript is concerned with a time period stretching from the 1st to the 15th century. In doing so, one not only finds ostentatious portraits of legendary rulers like Stephen of Burgundy (1065–1102), but historical figures like Charlemagne, or Mary Magdalene who supposedly baptized the first King of the Burgundians. These images are accompanied by numerous vivid scenes playing out before a backdrop of imposing urban architecture and extensive riverscapes.

A Masterpiece of the Ghent-Bruges School

The wealthy trading cities of Flanders attracted many artists and miniaturists, and highly talented masters were working in Bruges and Ghent by the second half of the 15th century. The Master of the Trivial Heads was engaged as an assistant to the Master of Edward IV in a bustling workshop in Bruges, and was within the circle of this so-called Ghent-Bruges school, which dominated the art scene. He is the responsible party for the marvelously fantastic miniatures of the Flemish Chronicle of Philip the Fair.

An Ornate Chronicle for Hard Times

Such luminous depictions hardly give one the impression that the dukes of Burgundy were already in a period of decline during the time of their making, and longed to return to the years of splendor they had depicted in manifold ways. Only a century after their ducal dynasty was created, it suddenly came to an end with the death of Charles the Bold in the year 1477.