Les Enluminures to Exhibit Dazzling Book of Hours at TEFAF
Les Enluminures is celebrating its 24th year exhibiting at TEFAF Maastricht!
For this prestigious event, the leading specialists in medieval manuscripts will be presenting an array of important acquisitions. Notable highlights include a glittering unseen Book of Hours with 69 miniatures, an exceptional illuminated leaf by Sano di Pietro representing the Adoration of the Magi and a leaf from the illustrious Chester Beatty Hours.
Of the upmost importance, the Hours of Isabeau de Croix is one of the finest Books of Hours to have ever entered the Tefaf Maastricht fair. Dr. Sandra Hindman, CEO and President of Les Enluminures, claims “This is by far one of the best Books of Hours I have ever handled as a dealer, and it is certainly the most extensively illuminated with page after page of dazzling miniatures in perfect condition”. It is of exceptional size, in flawless condition, illustrated with nearly seventy large and astonishing pictures, by all three of the great-est artists working in Parisian the second quarter of the fifteenth century. Dr. Christopher de Hamel, Senior Vice-President, comments “It is only when one is familiar with routine Books of Hours that the supreme mas-terpieces stand out as being utterly exceptional. The Hours of Isabeau de Croix is one of those manuscripts which almost defies belief”.
Equally to be exhibited for the first time is a fine miniature by Sano di Pietro, one of the most influential and prolific artists in Siena in the middle of the fifteenth century. Thought to have been trained by Sassetta and to have been active in the workshop of the Master of the Osservanza, Sano inherited the gift for storytelling from his masters. His engaging narrative style was rich in decorative effects. Representing the scene of the Adoration of the Magi, his leaf is likely from the series of opulent choir books for the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, Siena.
The third highlight comes in the form of a leaf from the Chester Beatty Hours, one of the most important manuscripts associated with the Boucicaut Master Group. Contemporary with the Limbourg Brothers, the Boucicaut Master and his workshop were active in Paris and worked for some of the greatest patrons of the age, including Jean, Duke of Berry. Les Enluminures will present a leaf depicting St John the Baptist, in remarkable condition and with distinguished provenance.
March 10th to 19th
Preview: Thursday March 9th STAND 276
Image: THE HOURS OF ISABEAU DE CROIX France, Paris, circa 1425-50. In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment. With sixty-nine large miniatures by the Master of the Harvard Han- nibal (active circa 1415-1430), the Master of the Munich Golden Legend (active circa 1420-1460), and the Dunois Master (active circa 1435-1450’s).
