Illumanu

1508 portrait of a woman by Girolamo di Benvenuto Washington...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:43:41 -0400

1508 portrait of a woman by Girolamo di Benvenuto

Washington D.C., National Gallery of Artsource

15th century France Bibliothèque nationale de France Français...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:20:00 -0400

15th century France

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Français 12559: Le Chevalier errant, by Tommaso III di Saluzzo

fol. 185(r)

source (gallica)

early 15th century (1400-1410), French - Paris Bibliothèque...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:54:24 -0500

early 15th century (1400-1410), French - Paris

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Français 425

fol. 1r

source (gallica)

second quarter of the 14th century Germany - Uppher...

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:08:02 -0500

second quarter of the 14th century Germany - Uppher Rhineland

details of tempera paintings on oaken coffret (Minnekästchen)

source (Met)

ca. 1300, France - Paris? Montpellier, Bibliothèque...

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 06:21:00 -0500

Pucelete bele et avenant, joliete, polie et pleisant, la sadete, que je desir tant, mi fait liés, jolis, envoisiés et amant: N'est en mai einsi gai roussignolet chantant, S'amerai de cuer ...

...entieremant, m'amiete, la brunete, jolietement. Bele amie, qui ma vie, en vo baillie avés tenue tant, je voz cri merci ens souspirant.

Alegiés moi, douce amie, ceste maladie, qu'amours ne m'ocie.

Je langui des maus d'amours: Mieuz aim assez, qu'il m'ocie que nul autra maus; trop est jolie la mort.

ca. 1300, France - Paris?

Montpellier, Bibliothèque Inter-Universitaire, Section Médecine

H196: Montpellier Codex

fol. 193v, 194v; 194r, 195r - motet Domino/Je languis/Pucelete

You can listen to it here.

source (Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire Médecine de Montpellier)

Lyrics in captions as transcribed here.

FULL LYRICS:

Domino

Je languis des maus d´amours.

Mieuz aim assez qu´il m´ocie

Que nul autre maus.

Trop est jolie la mort.

Alegiés moi, douce amie

Ceste maladie

Qu´amours ne m´ocie.

(I languish from unrequited love; better I love — I would rather die from it not being returned. Too great is the joy of death; swear to me, sweet friend, that this sickness of love will not kill me.)

Pucelete bele et avenant

Joliete, polie et pleisant,

La sadete que je desir tant

Mi fait liés, jolis, envoisiés et amant.

Nést en mai einsi gai roussignolet chanttant

S´amerai de cuer entierement

M´amiete la brunete jolietement.

Beele amie qui ma vie en vo baillie aves tenue tant,

Je vos cri merci en soupirant.

(Beautiful and comely maiden, lovely, courteous and pleasing, the thing I desire so much makes me friendly, happy, companionable, and loving. It’s not just in May that the nightingale singing so gaily would make me love you with my whole heart. Beauteous friend, to whom I deliver my life so willingly; I cry unto you for mercy with my sighs)

12th century (before 1141) Germany Virgo, from Brauweilen Abbey...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:49:59 -0500

12th century (before 1141) Germany

Virgo, from Brauweilen Abbey Church Zodiac

Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn (loaned from Museum Schnütgen, Cologne)

source (sacred-destinations.com)

second half of the 15th century portrait of a young woman,...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:32:33 -0500

second half of the 15th century portrait of a young woman, attributed to Hans Memling

…sold for 482,500 USD (358,200 Euro).

source (Sotheby’s Auctions)

1475, Flanders - Ghent Bodleian Library MS. Douce 365: Moral and...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:12:03 -0500

1475, Flanders - Ghent

Bodleian Library

MS. Douce 365: Moral and religious treatises,

fol. 115r - Margaret of York at prayer

source (LUNA)

Margaret and the other lady closer to her wear later 15th century variants of the fitted gown, derived from the houppelande, and a black hood or frontlet with steeple hennin. The fitted silhouette of the gown is accentuated by the wide belt, worn so tight around the waist it almost seems to merge with the dress.

(For an even later example of the houppelande’s evolution, although English, see this beautiful funerary brass. The only conspicuous vestigial part of the dress that is referencing its predecessor (the houppelande) is the overturned collar/lapels.The belt is narrow and worn low, reduced to a decorative function - the dress is presumably fastened with hidden lacing in the front. Technically, the gown has become an overkirtle.)

The third kneeling lady wears an overkirtle with wide opening in the front, held together with horizontal lacing. Underneath a kirtle would be worn and also maybe an embellished stomacher (also known as a placket). The bust seems flattened and the torso straight - the inclination towards this kind of silhouette foreshadows the imminent advent of the corset.

beginning of the 15th century (1403), French -...

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:06:14 -0500

beginning of the 15th century (1403), French - Paris

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Français 598: De mulieribus claris by Giovanni Boccaccio

fol. 151r - Pope Joan

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84521932/f1.planchecontact.r=francais+598.langEN

15th century, French BNF Français 239: Decameron by Giovanni...

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:06:52 -0500

15th century, French

BNF

Français 239: Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

fol. 140r

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8458435h/f1.planchecontact.r=Francais+239.langEN

Oh noes, his chaperon fell down!

ornamentedbeing: Snowballs! 1400 - 1407 Atlante dell’arte...

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:57:18 -0500

ornamentedbeing:

Snowballs! 1400 - 1407 Atlante dell’arte italiana

This is what the Irish lads working on the building across my flat have been doing all day! One of them is about six stories up and thinks he is Hawkeye with snowballs instead of arrows and is being particularly naughty!

first decade of the 15th century, Italy

Castello del Buonconsiglio, Trento

January fresco in Torre Aquila, by an unknown Bohemian artist

info source (larsdatter)

Circa 1500 portrait of Joanna of Castile (AKA Juana la Loca) by...

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 06:12:57 -0500

Circa 1500 portrait of Joanna of Castile (AKA Juana la Loca) by Juan de Flandes.

Another portrait of her, full-length, can be seen here (along with her husband).

Description of her from June 1505, as reported by English ambassadors at Valencia:

Instructions to, and report of, Francis Marsin, James Braybrooke, and John Stile, concerning the old Queen of Naples and the young Queen, her daughter.

I. After delivering to the Queens the letters from the Princess of Wales, to note well the estate that they keep.

Audience had by the English ambassadors of the old and young Queen of Naples.

The ambassadors arrived at Valencia the 22nd of June. Next day had an audience of the Queen. Delivered the Princess of Wales’ letters ; the Queens giving their thanks with a grave, stedfast countenance. The Queens have their lodgings severally by themselves, though they keep their estates and households jointly in the King’s palace, and they maintain a noble, sad rule and order among their household.

II. To mark the estates and households kept by the Queens, and to note whom they have about them.

The principal points are answered in the first article. Suits are made daily unto the said Queen’s court of lords spiritual and temporal respecting matters and causes such as might be brought to a King.

III. To note the manner of ordering their estates ; and the discretion and wisdom the Queen may show in her answers to the ambassadors.

Ever since the young Queen came to Spain, she and her mother have kept their estates together. On the delivery of the letters the old Queen replied for herself as a noble, wise woman, and afterwards the young Queen with a sad, noble, sewred countenance, not speaking many words.

IV. Whether the young Queen speak any other languages besides Spanish and Italian.

She understands both Latin and French, but does not speak them.

Description of the young Queen.

V. To note well her age, stature, and features of her body.

Her age is 27, and not much more. Could not come to any perfect knowledge of her stature, by reason of her wearing slippers after the manner of her country. A man could not lightly perceive the features of her body, for that she wore a great mantle of cloth.

VI. To mark her visage, whether painted or not, fat or lean, sharp or round ; cheerful, frowning, or melancholy ; stedfast, light, or blushing.

Is not painted ; of a good compass, amiable, round, and fat ; cheerful, not frowning ; a demure shame-faced countenance ; of few words, but spoken with a womanly laughing cheer and good gravity.

VII. Clearness of skin.

Very fair and clear.

VIII. Colour of hair.

Seems to be of a brown colour.

IX. Eye-brows, teeth, and lips.

Eyes greyish brown ; brows like a wire of brown hair ; teeth fair, clean, well set ; lips somewhat round and full.

X. Nose and forehead.

Nose a little rising in the middle and bowed toward the end. Forehead not perfectly to be discerned, for that her kerchief came down to her brows.

XI. Complexion.

Fair, sanguine, and clean.

XII. Arms.

Round, and not very small ; in length of a good proportion.

XIII. Hands.

Right fair ; somewhat full and soft.

XIV. Fingers.

Right fair and small, and of a meetly length and breadth.

XV. Neck.

Full and comely, not mis-shapen.

XVI. Breasts.

Somewhat great and full, and trussed somewhat high.

XVII. Whether any hair on her lips.

As far as could be perceived, none.

XVIII. To endeavour to speak with her fasting, and that she may tell them some matter at length, so that they may see whether her breath be sweet.

Could never come near to her fasting, but at other times have approached her visage as nigh as they conveniently could, but never felt any savour of spices, and believe her to be of a sweet savour.

XIX. To note her height.

Seemed not to be of high stature ; but by reason of her clothing, and being somewhat round, and well liking, she appeareth somewhat lesser.

XX. To enquire whether she hath any sickness of her nativity, blemish or deformity.

Having considered that such secret causes be to all persons unknown, save to her physician or apothecaries, had applied to Pastorell, who is in a manner physician to both Queens, and who made answer that he had served her many years, and she had ever been in good health, of a noble nature and complexion.

Sentiments of the King of Arragon towards her.

XXI. Whether she be in any singular favour with the King of Arragon, and whether she resemble him.

He right well loveth and favoreth her. It is a common saying in all Spain that she is to be married to the King of England by means of the King of Arragon. Somewhat resembles him in the fashion of her nose and complexion.

XXII. To enquire the manner of her diet.

Is a good feeder, and eateth well her meat twice a day ; drinketh not often ; most commonly water, sometimes cinnamon water, and sometimes ipocras, but not often.

- ‘Spain: June 1505’, Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1: 1485-1509 (1862)

second quarter of the 14th century (1340s) South East England -...

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:59:00 -0500

second quarter of the 14th century (1340s) South East England - London?

British Library, Egerton 2781: the Neville of Hornby Hours

fol. 71r - Annunciation

source (bl.uk)

second half of the 14th century (1360-1400), French -...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:02:38 -0500

second half of the 14th century (1360-1400), French - Paris

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Franais 246: L’histoire ancienne by Wauchier de Denain

fol. 158r - life of Caesar

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8449715t/f1.planchecontact.r=roman%20de%20fauvel.langEN

15th century (ca.1410) France (Paris) Genève,...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:43:11 -0500

15th century (ca.1410) France (Paris)

Genève, Bibliothèque de Genève

Ms. fr. 190/1: Des cas des nobles hommes et femmes by Giovanni Boccaccio

fol. 74v - wife of Candaules; being watched by her husband and Gyges

http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bge/fr0190-1

14th century (1353) France - Paris Bibliothèque de...

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:02:38 -0500

14th century (1353) France - Paris

Bibliothèque de Genève

Français 178: Le Roman de la Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun

fol. 2r

http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bge/fr0178

15th century (1450-1480) Flemish Bibliothèque de Genève Ms. fr....

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 06:25:03 -0500

15th century (1450-1480) Flemish

Bibliothèque de Genève

Ms. fr. 64: La fleur des histoires by Jean Mansel

fol. 61r
http://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/list/one/bge/fr0064

15th century, illuminated by Flemish masters Bibliothèque de...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:02:51 -0500

15th century, illuminated by Flemish masters

Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal

Ms-5070 réserve: Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio (French translation by Laurent de Premierfait)

fol. 116r

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b7100018t.r=.langEN

Seeing the humongous black hat of the gentleman in blue gown, I instantly thought of Mr Arnolfini. Also, the pattens here are of the same design as in the Eyck double portrait. The women wear houppelandes with overturned collars and horned headdresses, supported by padded rolls. The gentleman accompanying the blue lady also wears a padded headdress, and a red scalloped tabards over, presumably, short gown with bag sleeves.

Two interesting points here: Firstly, note the looseness of the blue sleeves of the pink lady’s underdress, and the size of her houppelande’s sleeves (the dress looks almost a cloak, really). Secondly, the houppelandes have a gold line under the overturned collars, reminiscent of the fur edging of the Margherita’s version of the houppelande (which lacks the collar). I think these are some kind of either necklaces or - what I find more likely - applied embellishments.

14th century (ca. 1335) France BNF - Bibliothèque de...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:30:47 -0500

14th century (ca. 1335) France

BNF - Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal

Arsenal 5080: Speculum historiale by Vincentius Bellovacencis (French edition, translated by Jean de Vignay)

fol. 109v - Saint Chéron exorcising a young woman

source, at Mandragore

13th century (1240-1250) England? - Salisbury...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:02:41 -0500

13th century (1240-1250) England? - Salisbury (Sarum)

BnF

Français 403: Apocalypse

fol. 8r - the Second Rider of the Apocalypse (the Red Horse)

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8447298r/f1.planchecontact