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The ''Belles Heures of Jean de France'', Duc de Berry, or ''Belles Heures of Jean de Berry'' (The Beautiful Hours) is an early 15th-century illuminated manuscript book of hours (containing prayers to be said by the faithful at each canonical hour of the day) commissioned by the French prince John, Duke of Berry ((フランス語:Jean, duc de Berry)), around 1409, and made for his use in private prayer and especially devotions to the Virgin Mary. The ''Belles Heures'' is one of the most celebrated manuscripts of the Middle Ages and very few books of hours are as richly decorated as it. Although including all the elements that other books of hours contain, each section of the ''Belle Heures'' is customized to the personal wishes of its patron. Furthermore, the ''Belles Heures'' contains a series of story-like cycles that read like picture books. Along with the ''Très Riches Heures'', which was also made for Jean, the ''Belles Heures'' ranks among the great masterpieces of the Middle Ages. The manuscript is now in The Cloisters in New York. ==History== During the time that the Duke of Berry lived, France was an unsettled country, ravaged by the Hundred Years War and the Black Death, and further disrupted by revolts and rebellions. France was divided by a rivalry between the Burgundians and the Arnagnacs and also had a lunatic king, Charles VI, which left the crown in contention and France unstable. Despite the unstable situation in France, the Duke of Berry, uncle of Charles VI, built many castles and commissioned many works of art. The Duke was renowned for his acquisition and commission of manuscripts and held one of the largest and most varied collections of his age. He was a generous patron and a collector of books. Berry employed the young brothers Herman, Paul, and Jean Limbourg as illuminators in 1404 following the death of their former patron, his brother Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.〔 The Duke commissioned several lavish Books of Hours, including the most famous, the ''Très Riches Heures'', parts of the Turin-Milan Hours, the Petites Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry and the ''Belles Heures''. The ''Belles Heures'' is larger than the Très Riches Heures. It is known to have been created for Jean de Berry because it has an inscription by Jean Flamel, the duke’s scribe, stating the commissioner as "Prince John, ..., Duke of Berry...".〔 Furthermore, numerous times throughout the ''Belles Heures'', the Duke of Berry’s heraldry, emblem, and motto appear on some of the pages and illustrations.〔 Also, because of the private nature of the book, the artists included many depictions of the Duke of Berry within the manuscript itself. Confirmation of the artists who created the manuscript cannot be found in existing documents. However, the work is attributed to Paul, Herman, and Jean de Limbourg as well as probably a number of assistants.〔 Scholars believe that the close relationship in style and illustrations between the ''Belles Heures'' and the ''Très Riches Heures'' is an indication of who created the work.〔 Further support comes as documentation of a payment received by Paul from the Duke. This coincides with the understanding that Paul de Limbourg was employed by the Duke de Berry around the year 1409.〔 The manuscript remained in the possession of Berry until his death in 1416. Afterwards it was purchased by Yolande of Aragon, Duchess of Anjou. In 1954 it was purchased by J.D. Rockefeller Jr. from the Baron Maurice Rothschild with the intention that it be given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.〔 The Belles Heures remains the only complete book from the hand of the Limbourgs, as the Très Riches Heures is unfinished. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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