Master of Anthony of Burgundy
Encyclopedia
The Master of Anthony of Burgundy was a Flemish
miniature painter
active in Bruges
between about 1460 and 1490, apparently running a large workshop, and producing some of the most sophisticated work of the final flowering of Flemish illumination
. He was first identified by Winkler in 1921; his name is derived from one of his most elevated patrons, Anthony of Burgundy
, Philip the Good's illegitimate son, though he also worked for the Dukes
and other bibliophiles in Burgundian court circles, who had already been allocated "Masters" by art historians. His contributions to the heavily illustrated Froissart of Louis of Gruuthuse (BnF Fr 2643-6) from the early 1470s, on which several of the leading illuminators of the day worked, show him excelling some more famous names, like Loiset Lyédet. The young Master of the Dresden Prayer Book worked as his assistant on this book, suggesting he was an apprentice; a number of other anonymous masters
have been postulated as his pupils. Other works are in the libraries of Paris
, Wrocław, Philadelphia, Munich
, Cambridge University Library
and elsewhere.
He sometimes painted using gold and silver on a black background, as in the Vienna Black Hours (or Sforza Hours and other titles) now in Vienna
. It is through the somewhat controversial attribution of that book to him, and its further identification with a book presented to Charles the Bold and known to have been illustrated by Philippe de Mazerolles, the Frenchman appointed as Burgundian court illuminator, that he has been proposed as identical to de Mazerolles, who is documented between 1454-1479.
The Master, or his circle, have also been associated with the first engraving
s produced for book illustration, in an edition of Boccaccio printed in Bruges by Colard Mansion
in about 1476.
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
miniature painter
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
active in Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
between about 1460 and 1490, apparently running a large workshop, and producing some of the most sophisticated work of the final flowering of Flemish illumination
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
. He was first identified by Winkler in 1921; his name is derived from one of his most elevated patrons, Anthony of Burgundy
Antoine, bastard of Burgundy
Anthony , known to his contemporaries as "the bastard of Burgundy" or "the Grand Bastard - le grand bâtard" - was the natural son of Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, and one of his mistresses, Jeanne de Presle.-Life:...
, Philip the Good's illegitimate son, though he also worked for the Dukes
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
and other bibliophiles in Burgundian court circles, who had already been allocated "Masters" by art historians. His contributions to the heavily illustrated Froissart of Louis of Gruuthuse (BnF Fr 2643-6) from the early 1470s, on which several of the leading illuminators of the day worked, show him excelling some more famous names, like Loiset Lyédet. The young Master of the Dresden Prayer Book worked as his assistant on this book, suggesting he was an apprentice; a number of other anonymous masters
Anonymous masters
In the history of art and architecture, an anonymous master is an architect, Old Master painter, or printmaker whose work is known, but whose name is not.-Pre-Renaissance:...
have been postulated as his pupils. Other works are in the libraries of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Wrocław, Philadelphia, Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Cambridge University Library
Cambridge University Library
The Cambridge University Library is the centrally-administered library of Cambridge University in England. It comprises five separate libraries:* the University Library main building * the Medical Library...
and elsewhere.
He sometimes painted using gold and silver on a black background, as in the Vienna Black Hours (or Sforza Hours and other titles) now in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. It is through the somewhat controversial attribution of that book to him, and its further identification with a book presented to Charles the Bold and known to have been illustrated by Philippe de Mazerolles, the Frenchman appointed as Burgundian court illuminator, that he has been proposed as identical to de Mazerolles, who is documented between 1454-1479.
The Master, or his circle, have also been associated with the first engraving
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
s produced for book illustration, in an edition of Boccaccio printed in Bruges by Colard Mansion
Colard Mansion
Colard Mansion was a 15th century Flemish scribe and printer who worked together with William Caxton. He is known as the first printer of a book with copper engravings, and as the printer of the first books in English and French.-Biography:Colard Mansion was a central figure in the early printing...
in about 1476.
External links
- BnF The Master painted most of the miniatures in BnF 2645 and 2646 shown here, though unfortunately the individual folios are not attributed to artists on the website.
- The Vienna Black Hours