Flemish Masterpieces
Although the county of Flanders was repeatedly the object of succession conflicts, the art of book illumination reached an absolute peak here in the 15th century until the middle of the 16th century. The greatest masterpieces were produced by the so-called Ghent-Bruges school, some of whose artists are known to us today by name - including Simon Bening, Gerard David, Gerard Horenbout, Lieven van Lathem, Simon Marmion and Willem Vrelant. A book treasure from these circles could not be missing at any European court at the time, which explains the international patronage of the gems collected here. Let yourself be enchanted by the high artistry of Flemish book art at the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance!
Probably the most extensive highlight of Flemish book art: beautiful illuminations comprising impressive miniatures and fantastical borders on almost every one of the fabulous 1,664 pages, created by the most important masters of the time
Ghent and Bruges (Belgium) — 1510–1520
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Exuberant Flemish book decoration on practically all 850 pages: the extensive and enchanting personal book of hours of the devout Queen of Castile, decorated in gold and in a handy format
Bruges (Belgium) — 1486–1506
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Created by one of the greatest masters of Renaissance book art, fascinatingly vivid and detailed in execution: bright flowers, insects, and birds on almost every page of this Flemish masterpiece by Simon Bening
Bruges and Ghent (Belgium) — 1520–1525
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Black parchment, bright colors and biblical texts in silver and gold for Charles the Bold: arguably the most beautiful of the seven black illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages that survive today
Bruges (Belgium) — 1466–1476
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A luxury manuscript for an enigmatic noble patron, today preserved in the Vatican Library: enchanting Flemish book illumination by the hand of the David Master of the Breviarium Grimani with golden accents in a splendid silver binding
Bruges (Belgium) — Early 16th century
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A precious testimony of international relations: varied borders and 78 full-page miniatures by the Flemish master Willem Vrelant as a sumptuous gift from a Spanish diplomat
Bruges (Belgium) — Ca. 1468
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The impressive refinement of the famous English Apocalypse manuscripts: The mysticism of the Book of Revelation in 23 enigmatic full-page miniatures in the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance
Flanders — 1400–1410
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With whimsical hybrid figures of humans, animals and mythical creatures: perhaps the most imaginative masterpiece of Flemish book illumination, created by Gerard David, Simon Bening and Gerard Horenbout
Bruges or Ghent (Belgium) — Between 1510 and 1520
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Almost 3,500 colorful illustrations from the renowned Bruges workshop of Willem Vrelant: a profusely illuminated Flemish masterpiece as a precious wedding gift for Queen Isabella of Spain
Bruges (Belgium) — Second half of the 15th century
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A truly unique specimen of medieval book art: an almost perfectly round Gothic book of hours with three ornate clasps and enchanting miniatures within the smallest space
Bruges (Belgium) — End of the 15th century
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Typical labors and picturesque sceneries in the course of the year: revolutionary landscape painting in a marvelous masterpiece of late calendar illumination, created by the great Simon Bening
Bruges (Belgium) — 1520–1525
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Stolen by the Nazis, auctioned in 2014 for 13.6 million US dollars: the famous Book of Hours from the Rothschild Collection, illuminated by Gerard Horenbout, Gerard David, and Simon Bening
Ghent or Bruges (Belgium) — 1510–1520
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A work of the "Who's Who" of medieval illumination: the wedding gift of Emperor Maximilian I to the Catholic Monarchs, masterfully and richly illuminated by Simon Marmion, Lieven van Lathem, and others
Ghent (Belgium) — Ca. 1475
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With three portraits of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold: a splendidly decorated masterpiece of Burgundian illumination made for one of the richest men of his time
Flanders — 1469, ca. 1471 and ca. 1480–1490
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Designed by Simon Marmion, the Maximilian Master, and a number of other first-class illuminators: a richly decorated masterpiece of Flemish illumination with extraordinary miniatures and bordure ornamentation
Bruges or Ghent (Belgium) — 1483–1505
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Biblical scenes in lifelike pictorial spaces and fantastical borders of flowers, animals and grotesques: a richly illuminated highlight of Flemish book illumination with 37 expressive miniatures by Gerard David and others
Bruges (Belgium) — 1484–1486
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Equipped with 121 wonderful miniatures and one of the most beautiful calendars by probably the greatest master of Flemish book art: Simon Bening's early and brilliantly illuminated masterpiece as a papal gift to King Manuel I.
Ghent or Bruges (Belgium) — Ca. 1515
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Probably the most unusual work by the renowned Simon Bening: the Vita Christi in 64 brilliant miniatures with mysterious origins, set in a picturesque gilded wooden frame set
Bruges (Belgium) — 1523–1526
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Painted by no less than Gerard David and furnished with more than 80 magnificent miniatures: the precious, personal prayer book of the notorious Borgia Pope Alexander VI
Bruges (Belgium) — Ca. 1500
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A magnificently illustrated textbook for the future Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Fair: the dazzlingly told story of his duchy, wonderfully illuminated with artful full-page miniatures
Bruges (Belgium) — Ca. 1485–1490
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Named after the French queen from the House of Medici: a precious Flemish Book of Hours of extraordinary imagery, created by the famous Master of the David Scenes in the Grimani Breviary
Bruges or Ghent (Belgium) — 1515–1520
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