Treasures from the Bibliothèque nationale de France

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

Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)

Description

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 cm
The Story of Jonah
Paris Psalter, fol. 431v
Constantinople, 10th century
Dimensions: 34.5 x 24 cm
John the Evangelist
Gospels of Saint-Médard in Soissons
Aachen, early–9th century
Dimensions: 36 x 26.5 cm
Christ’s Ascension
Drogo Sacramentary
Metz, 850–855
Dimensions: 25.5 x 19 cm
Maiestas Domini
Sacramentary of Metz, fol. 5
Court of Charles the Bald, ca. 870
Dimensions: 26.5 x 19.5 cm
Hanna and Samuel
Psalter of Louis IX the Saint, fol. 67v.
Paris, ca. 1253
Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 cm
Fox Hunt
Gaston Phoebus – Le Livre de la Chasse, Fol. 99v.
Paris, ca. 1410
Dimensions: 34 x 25.5 cm
Enthroned Madonna
Book of Hours of Duke Louis of Savoy
Savoy, ca. 1460
Dimensions: 27.5 x 19 cm
King Louis Encircled by the Knights of the Order
Statutes of the Order of St. Michael
Paris, 1469
Dimensions: 20 x 14.5 cm
Siege 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
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Origin: France
Date: 6th–15th century
Epochs: Early Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Byzantine
Carolingian
Gothic
Renaissance
Genre: Single Leaf Collections
Language: Latin
French
Illustrations: 10 artistic miniatures from valuable manuscripts of the Bibliothèque nationale de France
Content: Ten leaves from important manuscripts

Available facsimile editions:

Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Limited Edition: 1495 copies

Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Limited Edition: 1495 copies

Detail Picture

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.

Single Page

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”.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Kassette Schätze der Bibliothèque nationale de France - Luxusausgabe

Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Publisher: Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Limited Edition: 1495 copies

Binding: Box

Commentary: 1 volume
Language: German

1 volume: 10 leaves under passe-partouts: 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.

Price Category: € (under 1,000€)

Edition available

Price: Log in here!

Order / Ask a Question

#2 Kassette Schätze der Bibliothèque nationale de France - Normalausgabe

Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Publisher: Coron Verlag – Gütersloh, 1995

Limited Edition: 1495 copies

Binding: Box

Commentary: 1 volume
Language: German

Price Category: € (under 1,000€)

Edition available

Price: Login here!

Order / Ask a Question

You might also be interested in:

Drogo Sacramentary

Metz (France) – Ca. 850

For the illegitimate son of Charlemagne: one of only a few Carolingian manuscripts made outside a monastic scriptorium

Experience More

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

Paris (France) – Ca. 1405–1410

The passion for hunting in a magnificently illuminated manuscript: the standard work written by Count Gaston Phoebus on hunting techniques as well as the care and training of dogs and horses

Experience More

Sacramentary of Metz

Tours (France), one of the Monasteries founded by St. Martin – 2nd half of the 9th century

Only preserved as a fragment, yet a consummate masterpiece: Grandiose decorative pages and golden letters in a special jewel of Carolingian book art created for Emperor Charles the Bald

Experience More

Treasures from the British Library

Paris (France); Bologna (Italy) and others – 7th–16th century

Ten centuries of illumination: a collection of miniature pages from the finest medieval manuscripts in the British Library, the largest national library in the world

Experience More

Treasures from the National Library of Russia

Paris (France); Istanbul (Turkey) and others – 9th–19th century

Ten treasures from the Russian National Library, founded by Catherine the Great: the most beautiful miniature pages from some of the most important manuscripts form the splendid collection in St. Petersburg

Experience More

Treasures from the Bavarian State Library

Salzburg (Austria); Mainz (Germany) and others – 9th–16th century

A treasure chest of illumination: a portfolio of ten magnificent miniature pages from the finest illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages kept in Munich

Experience More

Blog articles worth reading