Grandes Heurs d'Anne de Bretagne
by BOURDICHON, Jean, Manuscript (Ms. lat. 9474), 300 x 195 mm
Anne of Brittany (Anne de Bretagne, 1477-1514) was the last independent Breton ruler, who became queen to two successive French kings, Charles VIII and Louis XII. In all, four Books of Hours from her possessions have survived: two miniature editions, one of middle-size format and a codex of extraordinary size and weight, destined for use in a chapel rather than in a private room. When she died in 1514, she was praised for her patronage of the arts and her predilection for luxury. Particularly the Grandes Heurs confirm this reputation.
The brilliant miniatures and borders of this book were made by Jean Bourdichon. His work excels in clearly conceived compositions while the illustrations take an energetic step forward from the Gothic to the Renaissance style.
The miniature on folio 51v depicts the Nativity, an outstanding nocturnal scene.