Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel – Guillermo Blázquez –

Spain — 19th Century

Originally written by the Infante Don Juan Manuel, magnificently illuminated by Angel Roncero: the first work on falconry in Castilian with more than 200 masterful miniatures

  1. Originally written between 1325 and 1326 by the Infante Don Juan Manuel (1282–1348)

  2. This codex was inspired inter alia by the artistry of the Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy

  3. It is adorned by over 200 miniatures as well as numerous decorative borders and marginalia

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

The Hunting Book of Prince Don Juan Manuel is considered the first work in Castilian on falconry, standing out for its great literary beauty and its cultured, entertaining language including personal anecdotes. Aside from technical information, it also contains a geographical description of the best places to practice falconry in the various bishoprics of the Kingdom of Castile. It was originally written between 1325 and 1326 by the Infante Don Juan Manuel (1282–1348). The codex at hand was designed by Angel Roncero and inspired inter alia by the artistry of the Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy. It is adorned by over 200 miniatures, including 14 full-page miniatures as well as numerous decorative borders, marginalia, and bas-de-page miniatures. This edition is a modern masterpiece that was created by sampling some of the finest Gothic and Renaissance book art.

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Don Juan Manuel (1282–1348) was one of the most sophisticated and accomplished writers of the 14th century as well as being a member of the uppermost crust of Spanish society: the son of Manuel of Castile (1234–83) and Beatrice of Savoy (1250–1292), he was also the nephew of King Alfonso X of Castile “the Wise” (1221–84). Thanks to the extensive library possessed by his royal uncle, Don Juan Manuel enjoyed a superb education during his upbringing. One of his works is the Libro de la Caza or Hunting Book, written between 1325 and 1326 and loosely modelled on the now-lost Libro del cazar by King Alfonso X himself as well as the De arte venandi cum avibus, which was written by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (1194–1250). Although no complete manuscripts of the work have survived, this modern interpretation of it presents the surviving, sometimes fragmentary text in the full splendor of late Gothic and Renaissance art.

A Modern Medieval Hunting Book

The work was rediscovered in the 19th century and was first mentioned by Gutiérrez de la Vega in the second volume of his work on hunting books in 1877. The artist Angel Roncero has sampled miniatures and marginal figures from other hunting books including De arte venandi cum avibus but modelled the overall design of the work on the magnificent Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy. Thus, this modern printed book has the appearance of a fine late Gothic manuscript with some imagery from the Renaissance and features over 200 miniatures, including 14 full-page miniatures as well as numerous decorative borders, marginalia, and bas-de-page miniatures.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Buch der Jagd des Don Juan Manuel
Size / Format
110 pages / 32.0 × 22.5 cm
Origin
Spain
Date
19th Century
Language
Illustrations
Over 200 partly full-page miniatures of falconry as well as numerous imaginative borders and marginal illustrations
Content
Hunting tract consisting of five sections: ornithological knowledge, basic information about hunting, hygiene in hunting, veterinary medicine, and geographical knowledge
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel – Guillermo Blázquez –
Guillermo Blazquez – Madrid, 1998
Limited Edition: 750 copies
Detail Picture

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Hunting Party

This trio of stylishly dressed men are about to go hunting with hawks and falcons, which are perched on a specially designed circular carrier and wear hoods with colorful hackles. Both men in the foreground wear shorts and knee length leather boots and are accompanied by a pair of snow-white greyhounds. The mounted hunter is armed with a crossbow, short hunting sword, and dagger as well as a hunting horn slung over his shoulder. His crossbow has a hand-cranked winch, which first emerged in Europe during the 13th century.

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel – Guillermo Blázquez –
Single Page

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Castillo de Peñafiel

The design of this page combines a miniature of Peñafiel Castle framed with floral tendrils, which serves as a background, with a depiction of Don Juan Manuel, riding a white horse in the foreground, and his entourage. A bearded man wearing a hood carries a white and black falcon while the red-haired man is accompanied by his pet monkey who rides with him on horseback.

Located on a ridge above the town of Peñafiel, the castle first constructed in 947 has been expanded over the centuries so that it is nor more than 200 meters long and boasts an impressive three story keep. Juan Manuel was one of the people who supported these additions to the original structure, and it was there that he died. This is an accurate depiction of the fortress, which still reflects its modern appearance.

Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel – Guillermo Blázquez –
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro de la Caza del Principe Don Juan Manuel

Guillermo Blazquez – Madrid, 1998

Publisher: Guillermo Blazquez – Madrid, 1998
Limited Edition: 750 copies
Binding: Brown leather with gold embossing
Commentary: 1 volume (81 pages) by José Manuel Fradejas and Francisco Calero
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: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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