Master of the Harley-Froissart

This article contradicts the information contained in the Philippe de Mazerolles article . Please take part in the discussion and remove this module if necessary.

In the history of art, the book illuminator is referred to as the master of Harley-Froissart , who painted one of the many copies ( manuscripts ) of Jean Froissart's chronicle around 1460 or 1470 .

Harley-Froissart manuscript

Le Bal des Ardents from Jean Froissart 's Chroniques

The partial copy of the Chronicle of Jean Froissart, known as Harley-Froissart, contains the fourth volume of this chronicle of important historical events in England, France, Spain and the Netherlands of the 14th century, known and loved in the Middle Ages. The master of Harley-Froissart has provided them with illuminations and initials . The pictures are intended to glorify knighthood and give an insight into court culture and fighting techniques of the Middle Ages. The volume begins with the entry of Isabella of France into Paris in 1389 and ends with the death of King Richard II of England in 1400.

The work is in two parts (MSS Harley 4379 and MSS Harley 4380) today in the British Library, London . It comes from the collection of 600 manuscripts begun in 1704 by Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer (1661-1724).

Style of the master of the Harley-Froissart

The style of the Harley-Froissart master, who is not known by name, points to training with illuminators in Paris. He created most of the 80 pictures, perhaps he was supported by another artist for a few of the illuminations . This helper is named as the master of the Chroniques d'Angleterre and is close to a Flemish style of illumination.

In the large pictures for the chronicle, the master of Harley-Froissart z. B. Heraldic shields, flags and banners of the knights to colorful and lively compositions, which are usually adorned with richly decorated borders with foliage and flowers in a style unique to the master. He also uses a lot of gold plating. These margins in particular distinguish the French-Burgundian style of the master of Harley-Froissart from the workings of his contemporary illuminators from Flanders . However, the master's workshop is mostly seen as being located in Flanders, probably in Bruges .

Each of the chapters of the Harley-Froissart begins with a richly ornamented initial , which also comes from the master of the Harley-Froissart .

Commissioned for Philippe de Commynes

The master of Harley-Froissart did the work for Philippe de Commynes , adviser to the kings Louis XI. and Charles VIII and the forerunner of modern historiography. Commynes coats of arms can be found in the margins of the manuscript and are used to date the work.

Works (selection)

• Harley Froissart, British Library, London, BL MSS Harley 4379
• Harley Froissart, British Library, London, BL MSS Harley 4380

In some other works the painting style of the master of Harley-Froissart should also be found, e.g. B .:

• La Bible Historiale, British Library, London, Royal 15 DI

Individual evidence

1. ↑ named as Master of the Harley Froissart by J. Plummer (with G. Clark): The Last Flowering. French Painting in Manuscripts . (Exhibition catalog of the Pierpont Morgan Library) New York, London 1982
2. ↑ cf. also Master of Harley-Froissart at E. König: The golden age of Burgundian illumination. 1430-1560 (Shining Middle Ages III). Rotthalmünster 1991, pp. 184-203
3. ↑ cf. GG Coulton: The Chronicler of European Chivalry . London 1930
4. ↑ Harley Froissart ms. 4379, fol. 3
5. ↑ Harley Froissart ms. 4380 f. 197v
6. ^ T. Kren, S. McKendrick: Illuminating the Renaissance: The Triumph of Flemish Manuscript Painting in Europe . London 2003, pp. 262-263
7. ^ E. König: A Parisian illuminator in the Eyckische parts of the Turin-Milan book of hours: Hand F. In: G. Schmidt: Wiener Jahrbuch für Kunstgeschichte XLVI / XLVII 1993/94. Vienna u. a. 1994, p. 306
8. ↑ Detailed record for Harley 4379. In: Online Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts. British Library, accessed October 31, 2010 (Gallery of Images). 
9. ↑ Detailed record for Harley 4380. In: Online Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts. British Library, accessed October 31, 2010 (Gallery of Images). 
10. ↑ Detailed record for Royal 15 D I. (No longer available online.) In: Online Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts. British Library, formerly in the original ; accessed on October 31, 2010 (English, gallery of images).  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.