Leaf from a Book of Hours thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Medieval & Renaissance, Room 10

Leaf from a Book of Hours

Manuscript Cutting
ca. 1440-1450 (illuminated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Dunois Master was once known as 'The principal associate of the Bedford Master'. The Bedford Master took his name from two outstanding manuscripts made for John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford and brother of Henry V, victor at Agincourt in 1415. The Bedford Master's style was widely practised in Paris. The Dunois Master appears to have adopted most closely the painting style and models of the Bedford Master.

This miniature shows scenes from the life of St Julian, who came from an artistocratic background. A stag foretold that he would accidentally kill his parents. One night in Julian's absence his wife allowed his parents to sleep in his bed. Upon his return he killed them, mistakenly assuming that they were his wife and her lover. To make reparation for his sins he set up a hospice by a ford where travellers could find refuge.


Object details
Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Water-based pigments, gilding and ink on parchment
Brief description
Leaf from a Book of Hours with half-page miniature showing scenes from the life of St Julian by the Dunois Master; French (Paris); ca 1440-1450
Physical description
Leaf, with scenes from the life of St Julian. Half-page miniature showing St Julian on white horse with two dogs and huntsman and huntsman confronting deer with 8 pointed antlers; bas-de-page scene of saint Julian drawing his sword in a room where a couple is sleeping in a bed. Saint identified with the inscription "S. Iuliane".

Inscribed on the frame; borders of acanthus, fruit and flowers

Rubric (on recto): De sancto Iuliano, A'. Hospes Christi Iuliane

12 lines.
Dimensions
  • Width: 90mm
  • Written area height: 65mm
  • Written area width: 45mm
Gallery label
LEAVES FROM A BOOK OF HOURS Illuminated by the Dunois Master About 1440-1500 These leaves were once part of a bound Book of Hours, in a section devoted to prayers to a number of saints. On the left-hand leaf is a prayer to St Giles and on the right to St Julian. Both are accompanied with scenes from their lives. France, Paris Ink on parchment, with pigment and gold Museum nos. E.4582, 4583-1910 (24/03/2018)
Object history
Collection of Frédéric Spitzer (1815-1890): his sale, 17 April 1893. Collection of George Salting (1835-1909): acquired with the George Salting Bequest in 1910 (no. 1229).

Other leaves from the same manuscript in the V&A collection: E.4580-1910, E.4581-1910, E.4582-1910, E.4583-1910.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Dunois Master was once known as 'The principal associate of the Bedford Master'. The Bedford Master took his name from two outstanding manuscripts made for John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford and brother of Henry V, victor at Agincourt in 1415. The Bedford Master's style was widely practised in Paris. The Dunois Master appears to have adopted most closely the painting style and models of the Bedford Master.



This miniature shows scenes from the life of St Julian, who came from an artistocratic background. A stag foretold that he would accidentally kill his parents. One night in Julian's absence his wife allowed his parents to sleep in his bed. Upon his return he killed them, mistakenly assuming that they were his wife and her lover. To make reparation for his sins he set up a hospice by a ford where travellers could find refuge.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Catalogue of Miniatures, Leaves, and Cuttings from Illuminated Manuscripts. Victoria and Albert Museum. Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design, by S.C. Cockerell and C. Harcourt Smith (London: HMSO, 1923, 2nd edition). p. 66.
  • Burlington Fine Arts Club: Exhibition of Illuminated Manuscripts, London: printed for the Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1908. no. 220.
  • Hindman, S., Medieval and Renaissance miniature painting (Bruce Ferrini & Sam Fogg, 1988), pp. 123, 125-7.
  • Marrow, J., The Hours of Simon de Varie, Malibu, 1994, pp. 17, 98 n. 21'
Other number
1229 - Salting Bequest
Collection
Accession number
E.4583-1910

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Record createdDecember 11, 2003
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