Antiquariatsmesse Stuttgart 2021 - Katalog

Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books AG
Spalenberg 55 · 4051 Basel, Schweiz
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Manuscripts, Miniatures, and Early Printed Books from the Middle Ages and Renaissance
A magnificent volume in excellent condition made
for Philippa of Guelders and René II of Lorraine
Carthusiensis, Ludolphus. ‚Vita Christi‘, translated
into French by Guillaume Lemenand, Vol. II. Manuscript
on vellum, illuminated by the Master of the
‚Chronique scandaleuse‘. France, Paris, 1506–1508.
355 × 250 mm. 333 (of 337) ff. 2 three-quarter-page
miniatures, 81 (of 85) column-wide miniatures.
Very fine condition, wide, clean margins. Miniatures
in excellent, fresh condition, with bright colours,
minimal flaking of crimson. Miniatures to ch. 24,
53, 62, 81 missing. Prickings partly visible; some
nota-entries (likely 16 th cen.), almost entirely free
of stains. Few leaves very skilfully restored, vertical
inner-column creases (ff. 2–31, 92–101). Binding
contemporary, blind-stamped, dark brown calf over
wooden boards, 7 raised bands. Covers decorated
with bands of floral and geometrical ornaments,
outer frame of single rosette stamps, two bands
with pictorial stamps. Spine restored, lower cover
slightly rubbed with areas of restoration, remains
of clasps, else very fine condition; modern Solander
box.
€ * 2,2 Mio.
Philippa of Guelders, the wife of Duke René of
Lorraine, commissioned a spectacular copy of the
‚Life of Christ‘ in two volumes c. 1505. The present
second volume, made c. 1506–08, boasts their
coats of arms in the border and initials ‚P‘ and ‚R‘
repeatedly (f. 1), their portraits displayed within a
miniature’s architectural frame (f. 137), and a dedicatory
poem for Philippa with her name mentioned
in the fourth stanza (f. 336). The text includes Books
III and IV of the ‚Vita Christi‘ with two full-page
miniatures initiating the volume’s two books and 81
smaller miniatures introducing new chapters, each
of which is accompanied by a rubricated headline.
The illumination was executed by the Master of the
‚Chronique scandaleuse‘, a renowned royal artist.
When this manuscript was produced, the text had
already been printed in France three times, always
including illustrations. The present manuscript version
is likely based on a printed edition and its iconography
may also be partly inspired by the printed
editions’ woodcuts, perhaps those of Mathias Huss
or Antoine Vérard. Intriguingly, Vérard was known
to have worked with the circle of illuminators that
included our master.
The Master of the ‚Chronique scandaleuse‘ illuminated
many liturgical and secular books. Likely active
in Paris c. 1493–1510, he collaborated regularly
with other Parisian illuminators, such as the workshop
of Jean Pichore. He used strong, clear colours
and an abundance of liquid gold. His landscapes and
interiors are skilful and diverse. He delighted in portraying
sumptuous, exotic garments and jewellery,
extraordinarily entwining veils, shawls, and drapery.
Human figures, gestures, and movements are agile
and vivid. In the scene of the Egyptian Army in
the Red Sea (f. 137r), he effectively conveys facial
expressions on countless figures on this tiny scale,
directing gazes and evoking panic and despair with a
masterful play of shadow and light. Our illuminator
excelled in a precise, meticulous painting technique
working quickly and unerringly. The volume at
hand is preserved in almost untouched condition,
conveying an unblemished, fresh, and immediate
impression of his mastery.
Upon Philippa’s death in 1547, her books, among
which number the two volumes of the ‚Vita Christi‘,
were bequeathed to the convent of Sainte Claire à
Pont-à-Mousson, where she retired in 1519. The
volumes remained together until the French Revolution.
The first volume has been preserved in Lyon
since 1911. In 1852, our volume was in the hands
of M. Gasson, notary in Vigneulles, who owned
other manuscripts from Philippa of Guelders’ library.
Later provenance includes, Charey, Élise
Gagnier, Departement Meurthe et Moselle, until
June 1896, Henry Yates Thompson, no. 39 in his
catalogue (1898), his sale Sotheby’s, London, 3 June
1919, lot 10, Paris, Librairie Théophile Belin, and
Switzerland, private collection. – Full description
on request.
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