Miniature Psalter
Available
France
1500 - 1600
Liturgy

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.

Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting Saul attempting to strike David with a spear while the young musician plays the harp before him, framed within an architectural border in gold and red.
ff. 59v-60r In the foreground Saul's son Jonathan with arrow and bow, in the background David plays the harp for the mad King Saul and gets attacked by him with a spear
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript showing two judges interrogating the young David concerning the death of Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth, while the execution is represented in the background.
ff. 81v-82r Two judges interrogate the young David for the beheading of Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, which is evoked in the background
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting King Saul seated pensively in a military encampment beside the young David, while a woman pleads with a commander in the background.
ff. 103v-104r A commander in an army camp (King Saul) with his cheek in hand. Young David next to him. In the background a young woman imploring an army commander
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript showing David observing Bathsheba bathing, while a servant summons her to the king’s palace in the background.
ff. 130v-131r David observing Bathseba in her bath. In the background: David's servant asks Bathseba to come to the king's palace
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting David in penance before the avenging angel of God, who offers him the choice between different plagues for his people.
ff. 156v-157r David in Penance before God's avenging angel, who gives him the choice between different plagues for his people
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript showing Christ holding the chalice and host before two kneeling worshippers, with King David and his harp represented beside him.
ff. 183v-184r Christ holding the chalice with the host, beofre him two praying men, to the left King David with his harp
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting opposing armies assembled for battle while the sorrowful King David reflects upon Absalom’s betrayal.
ff. 189v-190r Two armies meeting. The pensive king probably refers to David, who is reflecting on his disappointment and sorrow of Absalom's betrayal
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript showing King David appointing Solomon as his successor upon the advice of the prophet Nathan.
ff. 209v-210r King David appoints his son Solomon as his successor on the advice of the prophet Nathan
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting King Solomon directing the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem before a monumental architectural setting.
ff. 213v-214r King Solomon builds the temple of Jerusalem
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript showing the armies of David and Absalom meeting in battle, while Absalom hangs helplessly by his long hair in the distance.
ff. 223r-224r The armies of David and Absalom meet in the foreground. In the distance, Absalom hangs helplessly from a branch by his long hair
Illuminated miniature from a late medieval manuscript depicting David kneeling in prayer beside the decapitated body of Goliath after the victorious combat.
f. 232v David prays to God while kneeling beside Goliath's decapitated body

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.

Read more about this manuscript in our publication

Mirabilia: A Legacy brought to Light