René d'Anjou: Livre du cuer d'amours espris

Ren�, Duke of Anjou, was noted for his cultural interests. At his court in Angers a captivating style of painting flourished for a short time in mid-fifteenth century. The masterpiece of his court is a richly illustrated manuscript entitled Livre du cuer d’amours espris, or Book of the heart Seized by Love, an allegorical romance, typical of the literature of courtly love, that was written by the Duke himself. The miniatures were executed soon after the completion of the text by Ren� in 1457. The unknown illuminator was called the Master of Ren� of Anjou, later identified as Barth�lemy d’Eyck. The details of the text demanded that the artist contend with unusual lighting effects for times of the day, night and dawn. What distinguishes these miniatures are the uncanny sensory effects of light that are achieved through the use of artificial light sources introduced in the night scenes, and the radiance of a burst of sunlight near the horizon at daybreak.

The most famous miniature is that illustrating Amour, god of love, taking the heart of the love-sick king, who is bedridden, and offering it to the personification of Desire, dressed in white Italianate costume.