Travels of Sir John of Mandeville
The Travels of Sir Jean de Mandeville was one of the most popular texts of the Middle Ages, written by an anonymous author. It is the travelogue of an English knight with the pseudonym Sir Jean de Mandeville, who traveled the East for 30 years before returning to Europe. This manuscript from the British Library is a particularly fine specimen of early 15th century Bohemian illumination. It presents the story entirely in pictures: the events are depicted in 28 full-page miniatures without text β such is the narrative power and artistry of these images, each an outstanding specimen of the grisaille technique. Created by the so-called Master of the Mandeville Travels, the miniatures are distinguished by intricately patterned backgrounds and figures with detail facial expressions. The image program is based on the Czech translation of the original French text by Vavrinec of BrezovΓ‘ from ca. 1410. An additional idiosyncrasy of the manuscript is its parchment, which was completely dyed green and thereby represents an absolute unicum.
Travels of Sir John Mandeville
An enchanting parchment manuscript with Gothic illumination from Bohemia originated during the first quarter of the 15th century. The knight John Mandevilleβs 30-year-long adventure is illustrated by 28 full-page miniatures. These miniatures are unaccompanied by text, aside from a banner held by one of the figures in the miniature on f. 10, 'SPQR', and the image program is based on the Czech translation by Vavrinec of BrezovΓ‘ (ca. 1370 β ca. 1437), written c. 1410. This work of art originated from the hand of the so-called Master of the Mandeville Travels, known only by his name of convenience. An additional idiosyncrasy of the manuscript is its parchment, which was completely dyed green and thereby represents an absolute unicum.
Fascination with the Foreign
As fantastic as The Travels of Sir Jean de Mandeville sounded, the account was just as successful. Whoever was really behind the mysterious pseudonym of Jean de Mandeville, who presented himself as an English knight, remains contested to this day. In any case, he came world famous as the author of a compiled travelogue written in French between 1357 and 1371. In doing so, he not only made use of his own, presumably realistic experiences, but also numerous sources from historiography and literature, e.g. the Legenda Aurea by Jacobus de Voragine, the Rhabanus Maurus, or the Arthurian legend.
A Demi-Grisaille Masterpiece
Grisaille painting is a method that exclusively uses shades of grey or another neutral tone and is especially useful for depicting sculptures or as a model for engravers. Although seemingly less demanding than a full-color painting, the method can also serve to demonstrate the skill of a great master, or betray the hand of a less-talented assistant. Notable medieval practitioners include Jean Pucelle (ca. 1300β55), one of the greatest masters of 14th century France, whose Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux is an excellent example of the demi-grisaille technique that sparingly uses colors. The Master of the Mandeville Travels also makes sparing use of color, typically in the oft-patterned backgrounds or to emphasize important figures or objects. This allows him to focus on form and other details like facial expressions and garment folds, accounting for the surprisingly real and naturalistic aesthetic of these 28 miniatures. Furthermore, by utilizing parchment pages dyed with a delicate green, he was able to create a unique and refined work that can stand on its own without text.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- I Viaggi di Sir John Mandeville
Los Viajes de Sir John Mandeville
Die Reisen des Ritters John Mandeville - Size / Format
- 32 pages / 22.5 Γ 18.0 cm
- Origin
- Czech Republic
- Date
- Ca. 1410β1420
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 28 full-page miniatures
Travels of Sir John Mandeville
The Greek Mission of Pope John XXII
Enthroned in front of a lavish tapestry and wearing the golden papal tiara, the longest-reigning Avignon Pope receives a letter from a Greek emissary. The message from Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos rejecting papal supremacy over the βGreek Churchβ and criticizing their pride and avarice provokes irritated and dissatisfied looks on the faces of John XXII and his cardinals. However, this popular anecdote is apocryphal and reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the Avignon Papacy.
Travels of Sir John Mandeville
Traveling to Constantinople
Sir John Mandevilleβs journey to the East initially took him through the kingdoms of Germany and Hungary to Constantinople. The first significant place he describes is the modern city of Sopron, Hungary, followed by Eisenberg Castle, the precise location of which is unknown. Although not described in the text, the artist has drawn large dragonflies buzzing along the riverbank.
Groups of travelers gesture vividly while discussing their route. As the protagonist, Mandeville is portrayed larger than the others and points to the gates of a city where the highways converge. He and his companions are also more sumptuously dressed to distinguish them. One of the figures depicted either crossing or sailing down the Danube River waves goodbye.
#1 Los Viajes de Sir John Mandeville
Language: Spanish
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