Do not miss the “Monuscripts” in Chantilly

Famous for its whipped cream, Chantilly (Oise) is also for its castle which houses the collections of the Condé museum, among which is The very rich hours of the Duke of Berry. This book of hours-that is to say a work of prayers for the use of the laity, unlike the breviary, intended for the religious-was commanded around 1411 to three painters, the brothers Paul, Jean and Herman de Limburg, masters of the miniature from the Gueldre (Netherlands), by Jean Ier, Duke of Berry, brother of King Charles V and uncle of Charles VI.

Usually kept away from looks because of its fragility, the “Monuscripts” will soon be shown in the castle game room “as you will never see it anymore”, announces the museum.

An unprecedented exhibition to dive into “The very rich hours of the Duke of Berry”

An event exhibition which will make it possible to contemplate for four months, the 26 sheets of this jewel of illumination and in particular the emblematic first pages representing the twelve months of the year, presented “de-relieved” vertically and visible recto-verso thanks to specially manufactured climatic boxes. The other part of this cathedral book will be open to a different double page every two weeks, so that visitors can admire the graceful drawing and the bright palette of the brothers of Limburg and their continuators, such as Barthélemy d’Eyck…

The exhibition will also bring together all the hours of hours that belonged to the sponsor of Very rich hours. The enthusiasm that aroused, both national and internationally, the announcement of the exhibition prompted the director of the Condé museum, Mathieu Deldicque, to open the ticket office now. “But rest assured,” he says, “there will be room even for those who have not reserved in advance!” »»