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The book of lovers
The book of lovers - The moving story of love without words
Behaviors and Manners
The picture scenes fascinatingly depict behaviors and manners at the courts of the Christian West, leading us into a world on the brink of modernity. This world engages in dialogue with the viewer through symbolism and allegory.
Symbolism and Allegory
The painter deliberately uses colors to convey messages and employs plants and animals to represent characteristics and people. Seemingly insignificant objects become bearers of meaning.
Lively Visual Language
The lively visual language eludes a definitive interpretation, thus giving the viewer's imagination space. The painter of this series masterfully expressed the loving intimacy that binds the couple together. The focus is on drawing and storytelling, while perspective constructions and careful modeling of the bodies recede into the background. This very aspect gives the illustrations a lightness and elegance that perfectly match the depicted narrative.
Unknown Artist
To date, the manuscript has not been attributed to any known illuminator. However, its provenance from France within the milieu of the Brosse family is certain.
The Book of Lovers
The Book of Lovers, Codex 388 of the Musée Condé in Chantilly, is a touching gem from the last great flourishing period of French manuscript illumination. It wonderfully tells the story of two lovers without words, yet no less eloquently, and provides a unique glimpse into the emotions and courtly life of that time.
"The Book of Lovers: A Visual Symphony of Togetherness, Revealing the Timeless Beauty of Courtly Romance Without Words."
Characteristics
The book of lovers | |
| Creation Year | Beginning 16th century |
| Place of Origin | France |
| Library | Musée Condé in Chantilly |
| Signature | MS. 388 |
| Extent | 30 pages |
| Miniatures | 15 full page illustrations |
The Edition
The book of lovers | |
| Format | 20,2cm x 13,4cm |
| Limitation | 500 hand-numbered copies |
| Binding | Bound in green leather with gold tooling |
| Publisher | Müller und Schindler |
| Item Number | 41030 |
Questions and Answers
The book was created in the early 16th century in France and is an example of the high art of book illumination of that time.
'The Book of Lovers' tells a moving love story through 15 full-page illustrations. The images depict scenes such as joy, dance, shared rides, and loving embraces, capturing the emotions and courtly life of that era.
In addition to the full-page illustrations, the manuscript contains 12 delightful pages adorned with symbols and ornaments that complement and explain the sequence of images. A remarkable feature of the manuscript is the absence of text, aside from two sentences in the margins and a mysterious sequence of letters.
'The Book of Lovers' is a touching example of the last great flourishing period of French manuscript illumination. It showcases the artistic finesse and the ability of illuminators to depict complex stories and emotions in pictorial form.
The original manuscript of 'The Book of Lovers', Codex 388, is housed in the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France.
'The Book of Lovers' is available through the Universal Art Group (LINK), which offers it as part of their commitment to the dissemination of culturally and historically significant works.
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