A Small Wonder: Miniature Psalter by Jean Pichore

Jean Pichore and workshop, Paris, France, c. 1500 - 1510

This tiny treasure is a newly discovered psalter in an extremely small format, exemplifying the bibliophile rarities of the French Renaissance.

320'000,- CHF (VAT not included)

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Manuscript in Latin on vellum

70 x 45 mm, 2 + 274 + 2 ff., with 15 miniatures in architectural frames.

202

of 261

A breathtaking masterpiece of the size of a handpalm

Overview

This manuscript was likely a part of an extraordinary collection of little prayer books, created as a gift for a unknown high-ranking person. Such minuscule manuscripts were favoured by Queen Anne of Brittany and her daughters, making this a fascinating piece of cultural and artistic history.

The cycle of miniatures appears to be unique both in terms of quantity and placement of the illustrations, and of the subjects of the miniatures themselves. Their topics present a stimulating change from the standard illustrations in private devotional manuscripts, depicting the adventurous story of King David’s life.

This tiny masterpiece was created in the workshop of renowned artist Jean Pichore, a painter who was highly in demand in his times and employed by eminent patrons. His productive workshop included several employees who created this book in their master’s style. (Another masterpiece by Pichore is currently on sale at Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books: The Hours of Catherine of Aragon)

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