Limbourg, Pol, and Jean, and Hermann

(early 15th-century)

   miniaturists

   of Flemish origin, the Limbourg brothers, Pol, Jean, and Hermann, studied in illuminating workshops in Paris and, around 1402, Pol and Jean began to work for the dukes of Burgundy. in 1410, texts mention that the three brothers were attracted to the court of Jean, duke of Berry. There, they produced their famous Belles Heures, also called Heures d'Ailly (between 1403 and 1413) and, in particular, Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry (1413-16), one of the most remarkable illuminated manuscripts of the early 15th century. The religious scenes, and especially the dozen miniatures of the yearly calendar, evoke a courtly and luxurious worldly universe and show the artists' great attention to detail and interest in landscape. Rendered with intense colors and jewel-like elegance and precision, the whole work is an innovation that sets the stage for later schools of art.