Exhibition of a masterpiece
From : June 7 to October 5 – 2025
In the forests surrounding Paris there are many castles and abbeys that were once built by order of the French royalty or nobility. A fine example is the Château de Chantilly, this castle is world-famous in part because of the treasures kept there. One of those treasures is the famous work of the three brothers Herman, Paul and Johan van Lymborch: Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry. A special exhibition is taking place in this castle this summer because the calendar miniatures from the prayer book can be admired separately in a section of the castle: Musée Condée.
Musée Condé is a French museum in Château de Chantilly in the town of Chantilly, 40 km north of Paris. It is a legacy of Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of Louis Philippe I, who bequeathed the château to the Institut de France in 1897. This included the exceptionally rich library with the book of hours preserved therein: Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry.
A condition was drawn up around this work that the work should never leave the castle and library. It is also barely on display, the times I was there myself I could only view a facsimile. But now things will be different this summer. From June 7 to Oct. 5 – 2025, the calendar pages can be viewed separately, which is a chance of a lifetime for lovers.
Les Très Riches Heures contains 121 miniatures that still enchant us with their depictions of historic castles, princely scenes and work on the land, interrupted by the seasons They are iconic images that have shaped our imagination of the Middle Ages.
On the occasion of the restoration, this masterpiece will be shown to the public. Something that has happened only twice since the late 19th century. The exhibition featuring the nearly 150 items from around the world will provide insight into the various stages of creation of the extraordinary work. It will also explain why the manuscript is still so popular today.
The exhibition will focus in particular on the figure of Jean de Berry, his opulent patronage and his taste for books. For the first time since his death in 1416, all of his books of hours known today are brought together in one place. Manuscripts, sculptures, paintings and precious artifacts provide a comprehensive overview of the context in which the duke’s most ambitious works were created and distributed.
You can understand that this exhibition is highly recommended. For those taking the A1 towards Paris to the South this summer, it is worth taking the Chantilly exit. Or is it still better to go just before the exhibition closes in October given the crowds….
For more information see the website:
https://chateaudechantilly.fr/en/evenement/les-tres-riches-heures-du-duc-de-berry
U kunt ook alvast rustig vooraf het gehele werk digitaal bekijken: