ADORATION OF THE MAGI, miniature cut from a Book of Hours, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Paris, c.1490]

A polished and charming example of the work of the Master of Jacques de Besançon, also known as François le Berbier fils, one of the dominant illuminators in Paris in the second half of the 15th century.

150 x 98mm. The miniature opening Sext in the Hours of the Virgin (small crease at inner margin, a little wear to first sentence of text). Mounted and framed.

The prevalent style of illumination in Paris in the second half of the 15th century can be traced through the work of three successive illuminators: the Master of Jean Rolin, Maître François and the Master of Jacques de Besançon (see Avril & Reynaud, Les manuscrits à peintures en France, 1993, pp.38-52 and 256-262). Alongside a prolific and more routine output, most of the prestigious commissions from the court and leading ecclesiastics were fulfilled by this trio. On the basis of the close correspondence of archival evidence with the attributed oeuvres of Maître François and the Master of Jacques de Besançon their identification as the father and son illuminators, both named François le Berbier, has been generally accepted: see M. Deldicque, ‘L’enluminure à Paris à la fin du XVe siècle: Maître François, le Maître de Jacques de Besançon et Jacques de Besançon identifiés’, Revue de l’Art, 2014, pp.9-18.

This is the work of François le Berbier fils, orthe Master of Jacques de Besançon. The palette is sophisticated and subtle with gentle gradations of tone and an attractive, almost dusty finish. The flesh tone of the Virgin is pale and porcelain-like, while the Magi have long faces with clearly shaded cheeks and noses: a common feature of the way the Master paints men and women.

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