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Hours of Charles of Angoulême

Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)

France — Around 1485

Mythology and religion in masterful miniatures of boundless imagination: the greatest and most personal work of the French court painter Robinet Testard for the influential Count of Angoulême

  1. The greatest work by the French master Robinet Testard (1470–1531) with 38 magnificent full-page miniatures

  2. Testard had an intimate relationship with the Angoulême family as a valet and artist from 1484 to 1496

  3. The book of hours also contains a miniature of the famous Jean Bourdichon (1457 / 59–1521)

Hours of Charles of Angoulême

Latin 1173 Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
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Description
Hours of Charles of Angoulême

The Hours of Charles of Angoulême was made by the French court painter Robinet Testard (1470-1531) around 1485. As valet de chambre of the family, he created a very personal work for his superior, the Count of Angoulême (1459-1496), with whom he had a close relationship. On 230 sumptuous pages, Testard illuminated the stories of the Bible and the lives of the saints in vivid colors and masterful compositions. His 38 elaborate miniatures are joined by another breathtaking miniature by the gifted Jean Bourdichon (1457/59-1521) and 17 engravings by Israhel van Meckenem (around 1440/45-1503) added by Testard. Another highlight of this precious manuscript are the incredibly fantastical borders, often richly decorated with gold, as well as the numerous historiated, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic initials, which are probably the greatest demonstration of Testard's boundless imagination and artistic creativity.

Hours of Charles of Angoulême

Books of hours were probably the most popular type of book in the Late Middle Ages. The illuminated manuscripts were produced for private devotion and prayer and were especially prevalent among the rich, literate nobility. The codices enjoyed their golden age in the 14th and 15th centuries. The works by French illuminators were especially coveted and were templates for other European artist studios. The Hours of Charles of Angoulême is one of these French manuscripts. It contains 38 splendid, full-page miniatures and is the most valuable manuscript by the illuminator Robinet Testard. Aside from contributions by other leading masters, the décor also includes printed materials, making it a rare hybrid work.

The Count of Angoulême

Charles of Angoulême (1459–96) was descended from the Valois dynasty. He was Count of Angoulême since 1467 and had two children, named Margarete and Francis, with his wife Anne de Beaujeau. Francis was crowned King Francis I of France in the year 1515. Charles of Angoulême was an enthusiastic art lover. During his reign he lived mostly at his chateau in Cognac , where he operated as patron of numerous artists. The illuminator Robinet Testard was among his most trusted.

The Court Painter Robinet Testard

Robinet Testard was an ingenious illuminator who never signed his works. As a result, his works are not always easy to attribute to him. Nevertheless, it is documented that the artist was employed at the court of the family of Angoulême from 1484 to 1496. He not only produced some of his most impressive illuminated codices here, but also worked as a valet for the family. Such an appointment only came to those who stood in high favor with the ruling family. The book of hours for Charles of Angoulême is the most personal manuscript by Testard.

Surprising Originality

The book of hours testifies to Testard's boundless imagination. The miniatures of the work show exotic landscapes and botanical elements, intricate architecture as well as lively human and animal figures. They bring the stories from the Old and New Testaments and from the lives of the saints to the viewer's attention in a wonderful way. The painter brought his exciting illuminations to life with an intense, vivacious coloration. In addition to Testard's breathtaking images, the manuscript contains two further artistic features: For one thing, Jean Bourdichon, arguably France's greatest illuminator, contributed an elaborate miniature; For another, Testard added 17 masterful engravings by Israhel van Meckenem to the splendid manuscript, which he subsequently glued in. The valuable original manuscript is today kept in the National Library of France in Paris under the shelf mark Lat. 1173.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Libro de horas de Carlos de Angulema
Stundenbuch von Karl von Angoulême
Libro d’Ore di Carlo d’Angoulême
Les Heures de Charles d’Angoulême
Livro de horas de Carlos de Angulema
Size / Format
230 pages / 21.5 × 15.5 cm
Origin
France
Date
Around 1485
Language
Latin
Script
Littera bastarda
Illustrations
38 full-page miniatures; 17 additional engravings by Israhel van Meckenem; numerous magnificent borders and partly historiated decorated initials
Content
Liturgy of the Hours
Patron
Charles, Count of Angoulême (the father of Francis I of France)
Artist / School
Available facsimile editions:
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
#1 Libro de horas de Carlos de Angulema
M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2015
Limited Edition: 987 copies
Detail Picture

Hours of Charles of Angoulême

Supper at Emmaus

The Gospel of Luke tells how the resurrected Christ, unrecognized, meets two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, a village near Jerusalem, who are still full of grief for him and wonder about the disappearance of his body. They invite him to supper. Christ then breaks the bread, which literally opens their eyes. The miniature shows this very moment: the bread is broken, the disciple on the left seems to be about to jump up in astonishment, the hand of the one on the right has been captured in a tense gesture of shock.

Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Single Page

Hours of Charles of Angoulême

Lamentation of Christ

This large, full-page miniature depicts several dramatic scenes in parallel: While in the background on the hill of Golgotha the body of Jesus is being taken down from the cross by three men under the care of Mary, the deceased is already lying in the lap of his weeping mother in the foreground. Six other women are shedding clearly visible tears – the lamentation of Christ is literally at the center of the picture. Mary Magdalene can be recognized by her golden ointment vessel on the left edge of the picture.

The two male figures in the foreground, who also appear in the Descent from the Cross, also catch the eye. Joseph of Arimathea, dressed in gold and wearing a red cap, carefully supports Jesus' head, while Nicodemus prepares the burial on the right. Another striking feature is the deserted hill at the top right, with an hollow hidden in the rock behind it – a reference to the empty tomb and thus the resurrection of Christ?

Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro de horas de Carlos de Angulema

M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2015
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Hours of Charles of Angoulême – M. Moleiro Editor – Latin 1173 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2015
Limited Edition: 987 copies
Binding: Red leather with gold tooling
Commentary: 1 volume by Maxence Hermant and Séverine Lepape
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€)
Inquire current price here or ask a different question
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