Hours of John the Fearless
The Hours of John the Fearless was an illuminated book of Hours produced in Flanders between 1406 and 1415 for John the Fearless. It contains 12 illustrated saints' calendars, 28 major miniatures and rectangular and acanthus-leaf borders, all following the Rome liturgy of the Hours. It is now in the Bibliothéque Nationale, Paris.
The Book of Hours of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy was for a ruler who it was, despite his intense preoccupation with politics and intrigue time and desire to promote music, art and books. His handwriting which was for himself and his wife, Margaret of Bavaria, created breviary ( in the British Library ) which he wore at his death with him. This, his Book of Hours is a relatively modest instance that contains the usual elements and Paris and Flemish Holy attaches the same importance in the calendar. In the intercessory prayers are unusually long invocations of St. Leonhard included. The presence of the Holy. Leonhard may indicate a irgandwann suffered imprisonment of the owner. John of Burgundy (then Count of Nevers ) was captured after the defeat of the French crusaders in 1397 in Nikopol in Hungary together with his comrades Guy de la Trémoille and Marshal Jean de Boucicaut by the Sultan Bayezid. John's nickname goes back to his boldness during this horrific crusade. All three comrades in arms came through payment of a large ransom with their lives.
Description
A small plate of Burgundy coat of arms beneath the feet of the Holy. Andrew, in the figure above, refers to John the Fearless as owner of this Book of Hours. Andrew was the patron saint of Burgundy, and he is pictured surrounded by Burgundian emblems represented. Carpenters and trowel right and left of the saints ( nailed to the cross and not, as usual, bound ) appear to be.