Master of the Grandes Heures
Artists
A talented associate of the Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy painted nine of the ten large miniatures of the Grandes Heures, together with their bas-de-page scenes, as well as most of the small miniatures of the original campaign. Given his significant contribution, he is named the Master of the Grandes Heures. Active in Paris c. 1350-1380, he illuminated manuscripts for Charles V in the 1370s. He followed closely the Jean de Sy Master’s compositions, figure and facial types, palette and painting technique.
Baptism of Christ (Hours of the Holy Spirit, Matins)
This page was illuminated by the Master of the Grandes Heures. The infrared image (see Layers) reveals that the tree in the lower right corner of the image was not part of the original design. The artist may have decided to paint it in order to ‘balance’ his composition, which lacked movement and interest in that particular area.