138Os-1415
Illuminators

Noble Service. Renowned for their skill as manuscript illuminators, the Limbourg brothers—Paul, Jean, and Hermann —are most famous for their illuminations in the Tres Riches Heures, a lavish Book of Hours or prayer book produced for their patron, Burgundian duke and collector Jean de Berry As young men the Limbourg brothers followed their father, a wood sculptor of some note, and uncle, a painter attached to the French and Burgundian courts, into the artistic trades It was probably their uncle who influenced the brothers to enter the service of the duke of Burgundy in the early fifteenth century Between 1405 and 1415 the Limbourgs advanced in the duke's service and eventually were given honorary positions as valets de chambre in de Berry's household Their respected position in the household is clear from the various gifts (jewelry, money, and possibly even a house in...