Exploring the fine facsimile catalogued as the king of illuminated manuscripts. The masterpiece of international gothic art
Discover the elegance of “The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry”
At the heart of our collection lies an extraordinary treasure: the fine facsimile of “The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry”. This exceptional book of hours, commissioned by Duke Jean de Berry in the 15th century, represents a masterpiece that fuses art, devotion, refinement and exquisiteness.
Why are they called illuminated fine facsimiles?
Illuminated fine facsimiles are true windows into the past, meticulous reproductions of manuscripts that encapsulate the artistic and cultural essence of historical eras. These treasures are known for their vivid illustrations and ornate embellishments. Gold and silver appliqués illuminate their contents. They have been carefully recreated to allow present generations to experience the magnificence of literary and artistic masterpieces.
“The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry” stands out as the most precious example of the genre of “books of hours“. In particular,fine facsimiles of “books of hours” arouse curiosity and wonder by offering a unique insight into the personal devotion and refined aesthetics of the Middle Ages. Discover our complete collection in the “books of hours” section.
By rescuing and preserving these illuminated fine facsimiles, Patrimonio Ediciones seeks not only to offer a window into the past, but also to honour the artistic genius of bygone eras and to share the cultural richness found within the pages of these artistic treasures. Each fine facsimile is an open door to history, allowing artistic and spiritual heritage to endure through the centuries.
Authenticity on every page
At Patrimonio Ediciones, we are dedicated to preserving the authenticity and beauty of cultural masterpieces through high quality fine facsimiles. Our fine facsimile of Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry accurately captures every detail, from the miniatures richly illuminated with gold and silver to the shades of blue that employ authentic lapis lazuli. We use the same materials and pigments as the originals to ensure a unique visual and tactile experience.
Outstanding features of the fine facsimile
- Exquisite detail: Each page features a detailed reproduction of the illustrations and text, carefully respecting the chromatic range and artistic essence of the original.
- Top quality materials: We use the highest quality parchment, leathers, inks and mineral pigments to ensure a faithful and durable reproduction.
- Numbered, certified and authenticated by the museums that hold the original: Each fine facsimile is a limited edition, numbered and certified, making it a unique and valuable piece for collectors and history lovers.
Current location:
© Chantilly, Musée Condé. Ms.65. 15th century. 1410-1416 y 1485-1489.
Extent:
Our fine facsimile edition contains 150 pages and includes its 130 miniatures.
Script:
Latin.
Dimensions:
29.2 x 21.3 cm.
Illustrations:
130 miniatures and 102 pages of text. It is accompanied by a CD-Rom with all 208 folios that make up the original codex.
The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry has been described as the king of illuminated manuscripts, a miracle in the history of art, and is the last commission from the Duke of Berry, the most famous patron of the Gothic arts.
Illuminated by the Limbourg brothers
Illuminated by the workshop of the Limbourg brothers, Jean, Paul and Herman, international Gothic geniuses who revolutionised the art of illumination.
Learn all the details
In 1416, the sudden death of the Limbourg brothers and of the duke himself left the manuscript unfinished, probably in unbound loose sheets. The binding of the fine facsimile in natural silk with the fleur-de-lis embroidered with gold thread is based on the inventory of Jean de Berry’s possessions of 1413, which describes in detail the bindings of his hundreds of codices.
– First, true and unique fine facsimile edition with a specially treated pergamenata support. This exclusive handmade and trademarked support, whose price is 10 times higher than the couché paper used by Patrimonio in its commentary volumes, allows the following senses to be enjoyed in a unique way after our necessary and exclusive secret medieval ageing process. Touch: very similar; Hearing: sound and characteristic carping at the passage of its folios; Sight: undulation and roughness similar to the folios of the original codex; Smell: characteristic odour.
– 3D images. All its golds – foil, ink – and silvers have been given a patina of ageing and subtle micro-detachments produced by the passage of centuries and perceived today in all illuminated medieval codices. Stochastic weft.
– Pergamenata series. First and only fine facsimile edition with pergamenata support and gold leaf of similar characteristics to those used by the most prestigious publishers specialising in fine facsimiles or near-originals of illuminated manuscripts on paper, pergamenata or natural lambskin parchment. 744 unique numbered and notarially authenticated copies, intended exclusively for new subscribers to the Collection Bibliothèque duc de Berry comprising The Moralised Bible of the Limbourg Brothers , The Great Hours of the Duke of Berry and The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry.
– Italy Series. 150 unique numbered and notarially authenticated copies.
– The use of gilt backing and foil of similar characteristics to those used by other publishers, with a non-existent percentage of gold, significantly reduces costs, resulting in fine facsimile at the best price.
– Gold series. 105 unique specimens with genuine 22 carat pure gold leaf and pergamenata backing. Out of stock.
– The outstanding worldwide success of our faithful fine facsimile edition of the BnF Ms. Fr. 166, Moralised Bible of the Limbourg Brothers – the only manuscript illuminated by the Limbourg brothers that had never previously been reproduced for rigorous conservation reasons – encouraged the fine facsimile publication of The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry.
– Unlike Ms. Fr. 166, The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry had already been reproduced before. Since 1969, when the visionary and prestigious New York publisher George Braziller and Draeger Frères of Paris had the exclusive privilege of keeping the codex in their workshops and published their magnificent fine facsimile edition, several have followed.
– In our publication we wished to contribute something that would set us apart and in this sense we highlight something unique, for the first time the illustrations of The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry are illuminated in all their original splendour, which only fine gold can give them, just as they were conceived.
– In our Gold Series, sold out in pre-publication, this is notarially accredited by laboratory analysis of its 22.25 carat gold leaf, applied to each and every one of its folios.
– Other noteworthy achievements present in all our series, Oro, Pergamenata and Italia, are the contrast, the effect of three-dimensionality in its images and the unique detail and intensity in its lapis lazuli blues, with a result that surpasses a magnificent fine facsimile edition, achieving the superb final effect of an authentic original manuscript painted and illuminated by hand.
– Images of the original codex for publication fine facsimile can be obtained through various entities, such as the Réunion des Musées Nationaux de France or others.
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“The Tres Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry”.
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