But if the MSS. themselves do not contain the
particulars, very often the account-books of cathedrals and other
establishments for which the books were illuminated, give the details of
price and purpose, and add the names of the artists. The household
expense books, guild books, municipal records, and the journals of the
painters themselves are fertile sources of information. And if we seek
with sufficient diligence these will probably be the means by which it
may eventually be found.
CHAPTER III
FRENCH ILLUMINATION FROM THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY TO THE RENAISSANCE
Ivy-leaf and chequered backgrounds--Occasional introduction of plain
burnished gold--Reign of Charles VI. of France--The Dukes of Orleans,
Berry, and Burgundy; their prodigality and fine taste for
MSS.--Christine de Pisan and her works--Description of her "Mutation of
Fortune" in the Paris Library--The "Roman de la Rose" and "Cit? des
Dames"--Details of the French style of illumination--Burgundian MSS.,
Harl. 4431--Roy. 15 E. 6--The Talbot Romances--Gradual approach to
Flemish on the one hand and Italian on the other.
In addition to the expanding ivy leaf which forms the chief feature of
fourteenth-century book-ornament, we find the miniaturist as a further
improvement adding delicate colour in the faces.
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