The Very Minute Hours of Europe

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In the fifteenth century, Europe existed. The most magnificent court was the one of the Duke of Burgundy, who was residing in Dijon. Duke Charles the Bold, or one of his relatives, was the sponsor of the outstanding book that Sotheby's is selling in London on July 7.

The ducal domain included the Flanders. We believe that this book was made in Ghent and Valenciennes circa 1475 - 1480. It seems interesting to note that this book of hours is for the use of Rome, ie it does not follow the local liturgy but the one of the capital of Christendom. That was Europe.

Its first feature is its small size: 75 x 55 mm. It consists of nearly 250 manuscript pages, including 14 full-page miniatures and 25 large initials. The line is extremely thin, no thicker than a human hair.

The other remarkable fact is that its authors are listed in the history of art. Half of the miniatures is the work of Simon Marmion, one of the best known illuminators. The other half is attributed to the Master of Mary of Burgundy, whose biographical details have not been found.

For this masterpiece that comes from the same century as the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, the estimate is 600 K £.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Small objects rarely get high prices. I had thought that this one could make an exception because of its quality and of the identification of its prestigious artists. This was not the case. Unsold.