Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France
Paris (France); Aachen (Germany) and others — 6th–15th century
From one of the largest manuscript collections in the world: ten outstanding miniature pages from some of the most important manuscripts in the treasuries of the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris
The manuscript collection of the Bibliothèque nationale de France is one of the richest in the world
This collection offers a sampling of the collection's most magnificent miniatures from medieval manuscripts
This wonderful overview spans the entirety of the period from the 6th century to the 15th century
Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France
The Bibliothèque nationale de France is the national library of France, based in Paris, and one of the largest libraries in the world. It has its origins in the royal library in the Louvre Palace, which was founded in 1368 by King Charles V himself with 917 manuscripts. However, the library only became accessible to the public (to a limited extent) at the end of the 17th century. The collection was constantly expanded over the centuries, so that today the Bibliothèque nationale de France houses the world's largest collection of medieval and modern manuscripts, including numerous books of hours, chansons de geste and chivalric novels.
Thus, this fascinating compilation contains individual pages from early Byzantine rarities, outstanding Carolingian masterpieces and beautiful art treasures from the peak of French book illumination in the late Middle Ages.
Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France
The series "Greatest Libraries of the World" and "Treasures of the World" offer the most beautiful and magnificent miniatures from medieval manuscripts combined in one collection. These art treasures from one world-famous library or on one subject are presented as single sheets under passepartout in a precious ornamented box. The manuscript collection of the Bibliothèque nationale de France is considered to be one of the richest and most beautiful in the world.
Healing the Blind
Gospels of Sinope, fol. 29
Constantinople, 6th century
Dimensions: 30 x 24 cmThe Story of Jonah
Paris Psalter, fol. 431v
Constantinople, 10th century
Dimensions: 34.5 x 24 cmJohn the Evangelist
Gospels of Saint-Médard in Soissons
Aachen, early–9th century
Dimensions: 36 x 26.5 cmChrist’s Ascension
Drogo Sacramentary
Metz, 850–855
Dimensions: 25.5 x 19 cmMaiestas Domini
Sacramentary of Metz, fol. 5
Court of Charles the Bald, ca. 870
Dimensions: 26.5 x 19.5 cmHanna and Samuel
Psalter of Louis IX the Saint, fol. 67v.
Paris, ca. 1253
Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 cmFox Hunt
Gaston Phoebus – Le Livre de la Chasse, Fol. 99v.
Paris, ca. 1410
Dimensions: 34 x 25.5 cmEnthroned Madonna
Book of Hours of Duke Louis of Savoy
Savoy, ca. 1460
Dimensions: 27.5 x 19 cmKing Louis Encircled by the Knights of the Order
Statutes of the Order of St. Michael
Paris, 1469
Dimensions: 20 x 14.5 cmSiege of Castle Derval
Chronique of Breton
France, 1480–1482
Dimensions: 36.5 x 27.5 cm
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Kassette Schätze der Bibliothèque nationale de France
- Origin
- France
- Date
- 6th–15th century
- Genre
- Illustrations
- 10 artistic miniatures from valuable manuscripts of the Bibliothèque nationale de France
- Content
- Ten leaves from important manuscripts
Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France
John the Evangelist
Carolingian art was strongly imitative of classical art and also depicted people wearing ancient dress rather than the contemporary fashions, as would later styles. This Evangelist portrait from the Gospels of Saint-Médard in Soissons, created in Aachen during the early–9th century, is a good example thereof. Richly dressed in a blue tunic and purple toga although barefoot to emphasize his piety, Saint John holds open his Gospel while seated on a big cushion in front of an architectural background and is depicted as a young, clean-shaven man with short hair.
Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France
Siege of Château de Derval
As part of the Hundred Years’ War, the Château de Derval, held by the English knight Sir Robert Knolles, was besieged in 1373 by Bertrand du Guesclin. He is depicted in the lower-right corner wearing golden armor and a black double-headed eagle, the coat of arms of the Constable of France, as he joins the army of the Duke of Anjou, who is depicted wearing red brocade on the left as someone kneels before him. Both besieger and besieged as beheading prisoners.
This miniature from the Chronique of Breton, created ca. 1480–82 has a highly detailed and accurate depiction of the castle, even depicting streaks of excrement on the wall below the latrine. The arms of the House of Derval are depicted in the “Q” initial and the bas-de-page, where they are flanked by two hairy savages and two banderoles with the Derval’s motto Sans plus or “No more”.
#1 Kassette Schätze der Bibliothèque nationale de France - Luxusausgabe
Language: German
#2 Kassette Schätze der Bibliothèque nationale de France - Normalausgabe
Language: German
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