A Masterpiece Reconstructed: The Hours of Louis XII

masterpiece, book of hours, Louis XII

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'Bathsheba Bathing'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'Bathsheba Bathing'
    The Book of Hours
    France
    1498/9
    Tempera and gold on parchment
    Width 17 cm x height 24.3 cm
    The J. Paul Getty Museum

    The Old Testament Book of Samuel relates how King David spied the beautiful Bathsheba bathing, committed adultery with her, and sent her husband to his death. Bourdichon portrayed her as a self-conscious temptress displaying her charms, which accord with the highest standards of feminine beauty current in the fifteenth century. This scene illustrated the Penitential Psalms, traditionally attributed to King David.

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'Nativity'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'Nativity'
    Illumination from a book of hours
    France
    1498/9
    Museum no. E.949-2003

    Here, Bourdichon exquisitely differentiates three sources of light: the creamy illumination of Joseph's lantern; the golden gleam of the stars through the dilapidated roof of the manger; and the divine glow of the Christ child. This embodies St. Bridget of Sweden's vision of Christ's 'ineffable light and splendour…totally annihilating the material light'. This scene opened Terce, the fourth service of the Hours of the Virgin.

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'February'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'February'
    Illumination from a book of hours
    France
    1498/9
    Lewis Collection, Rare Books Department, Free Library of Philadelphia

    The first text in a book of hours is the calendar, which lists feasts of the church year. This one is richly illuminated, with activities appropriate to the season. In the winter month of February, a richly dressed gentleman warms himself at a fire. Bourdichon's fascination with the effects of light is apparent in the red glow of the flames reflecting off the man's gown. The astrological sign of Pisces appears above.

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'June'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'June'
    Illumination from a book of hours
    France
    1498/9
    Lewis Collection, Rare Books Department, Free Library of Philadelphia

    Seasonal agricultural activities were traditional indicators of the character of each month. In June, a peasant carries a scythe for haymaking. Against the heat, he is lightly dressed, with a broad-brimmed hat and a cask of water. At the top, the name of the month is decorated with flourishes, and the feast days are written in alternating yellow and blue. The major feast of Saint Barnabus is in red (now discoloured brown): a so-called 'red letter day'. The astrological sign of Cancer appears above.

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'August'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'August'
    Illumination from a book of hours
    France
    1498/9.
    Lewis Collection, Rare Books Department, Free Library of Philadelphia

    In the Hours of Louis XII, Bourdichon introduced a new monumentality to his art. This is apparent in the imposing astrological figure of Virgo at the upper right, richly modelled in gold against the blue of the heavens. She stands before sheaves of wheat: symbolic of the harvest time of August. In the lower scene, a peasant winnows the wheat, to separate the grain from the chaff. His face was later damaged, and partly repainted.

  • Jean Bourdichon, 'September'



    Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521)
    'September'
    Illumination from a book of hours
    France
    1498/9
    Lewis Collection, Rare Books Department, Free Library of Philadelphia

    In medieval France, September was the month for harvesting grapes. These were traditionally crushed underfoot in a large vat - as is illustrated here - and the wine left to ferment in barrels. Above, a graceful astrological figure of Libra, holding her emblem of the scales, is delicately but dramatically illuminated from the left, against a star-filled night sky.