Telling Tales - The court of Charles V
From Ancient Egypt to Baroque Bologna to avant-garde Moscow, the works at Frieze Masters open up a world of stories
From Ancient Egypt to Baroque Bologna to avant-garde Moscow, the works at Frieze Masters open up a world of stories
An Emperor’s gift to his boyhood tutor
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books, E3
A book of hours was a medieval devotional aid used by the laity to structure their worship and time for reflection, each one unique to its owner. This example was a gift from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to his childhood governor, according to a letter pasted in the manuscript, most likely Guillaume II de Croÿ, who would remain his most trusted advisor as his domain grew to some four million square kilometres.
Written in a rather small script, the book contains 21 very fine illuminations by one of the most famous Flemish miniaturists of the time: Gerard Horenbout, otherwise known as ‘the Master of James IV of Scotland’. It is filled with fine details, superb colours and fascinating contemporary iconography. Lower borders abound with flowers, butterflies, peacock feathers and gems, with illusionistic touches like the almost translucent wings of the dragonfly [left, below]; the scenes feature portrait-like renderings of individual characters – see the expressions of the shepherds [left, above] – and an unusual depiction of the Last Supper taking place in daylight.
Formerly court painter and valet de chamber to Margaret of Austria, at the time of creating this work Horenbout was probably living in England, where he was supported by Henry VIII.
