Book of Hours of Jeanne d'Évreux

This tiny prayer book was copied by a gifted anonymous scribe, who fixed the text on extremely thin, transparent vellum in magnificently regular letters. The miniatures from the workshop of Jean Pucelle are all done in grisaille using a rich scale of grey shades. Three cycles of illustrations were provided for Jeanne’s personal devotions. The first two encompass eight scenes from the childhood of Christ and another eight from the Passion. The third depicts nine episodes from the life of King Louis, who was canonised in 1297 and passionately honoured at the French court.

In the picture on the left (folio 148v), St Louis, who performed great acts of charity throughout his life, washes the feet of some paupers. The page of text opposite (folio 149r) includes several of the drolleries and amusing fabulous beasts characteristic of this manuscript.