Miniature Psalter
- Jean Pichore and workshop
Manuscript in Latin on vellum
France, Paris, c. 1500 - 1510
70 x 45 mm
320'000,- CHF (VAT not included)
2 + 274 + 2 leaves. 15 miniatures in architectural frames. À la fanfare binding from the 16th century. Very good condition.
A Small Wonder: Miniature psalter by Jean Pichore
This manuscript is a newly discovered psalter in an extremely small format that exemplifies the bibliophile rarities of the French Renaissance.
This masterpiece was likely a part of an extraordinary collection of little prayer books, created as a gift for a unknown high-ranking person. Such minuscule manuscripts were favoured by Queen Anne of Brittany and her daughters, making this a fascinating piece of cultural and artistic history.
The cycle of miniatures appears to be unique both in terms of quantity and placement of the illustrations, and of the subjects of the miniatures themselves. Their topics present a stimulating change from the standard illustrations in private devotional manuscripts, depicting the adventurous story of King David’s life.
This tiny masterpiece was created in the workshop of renowned artist Jean Pichore, a painter who was highly in demand in his times and employed by eminent patrons. His productive workshop included several employees who created this book in their master’s style.