[René d’Anjou].

Le Livre Du Cueur D’Amours Espris [The Love Heart Book]. Introduction and Commentaries by F.Unterkircher / The National Library, Vienna.

Faksimile. London, Thames and Hudson, 1975. 19.4 cm x 28.2 cm. 48 pages. 16 colour plates with commentary opposite. Original Hardcover in illustrated card slipcase with gold draw-ribbon. Fine condition with only minor signs of external wear (minor stain to cover). Gilt decorated cloth. Number 1694 of 3000 special limited edition. From the reference library of Hans Christian Andersen-Translator Erik Haugaard.

Includes for example the following plates and commentaries: Folio 2 / Folio 5v / Folio 12v / Folio 21v / Folio 26 v / Folio 33 / Folio 47v / Folio 55 etc.

The Love Heart Book is an allegorical novel by Duke René d’Anjou. The text that was written by King René himself is a chivalrous love story, in the tradition of the Roman de la Rose, partly in prose and partly in verse rhymes. There are seven manuscripts of this text dating from the fifteenth century, the most complete being that of the National Library of Paris. The copy of Vienna is one of those with the most beautiful miniatures. René was long suspected of having illuminated it himself. It seems more and more certain that its creator is Barthélemy d’Eyck.

This illuminated manuscript is best known for its sixteen miniatures. Particularly remarkable is the virtuosity of the representation of the conditions of light, in the night scenes (miniatures I, IV, XVI), the sunrises (miniatures V, XI, XIII) and the twilight (miniature XIV).

It was made between 1457 and 1470. It consists of one hundred and twenty seven sheets of parchment in quarto format (290 × 207 mm). It remains unfinished, probably because of the death of the artist, alongside the sixteen existing miniatures, locations are planned for twenty-nine others.

His first known owner is Prince Eugene of Savoy. After the death of this one, it is bought in 1737 for the emperor Charles VI and destined to the library of the imperial Court. He was transferred to Paris under Napoleon (1809), then returned to Vienna under the Restoration , in 1814-1815. It is currently preserved in the Austrian National Library. (Wikipedia)

• Keywords: Allegory · Art · Art of the 15th Century · Artists · Books on Books · Books on Books Rare · Catalogue Four – International Art · Erik Haugaard Collection · Illustrated · Illustrated Books · Illustration · Love Stories · Manuscript · Medieval · Medieval Literature · Prose
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500232237
• Inventory Number: 200261AB

EUR 95,--