Jean Colombe, a Fifteenth-Century Illuminator and a Good Student

Published on 20 October 2023, by Sophie Reyssat

Auction on 14 November 2023 - 14:00 (CET) - Salle 7 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009

The illustrious Bureau family commissioned this book of hours, which was at first attributed to Jean Fouquet, Jean Colombe’s famous teacher.

France, Bourges, c. 1468-1470 and 1470-1475. Called the Bureau Book of Hours, for... Jean Colombe, a Fifteenth-Century Illuminator and a Good Student

France, Bourges, c. 1468-1470 and 1470-1475. Called the Bureau Book of Hours, for use in Paris in Latin and French, hand written on parchment, illuminations attributable to Jean Colombe (active in Bourges c. 1463-1493) with the collaboration of a follower of Fouquet, leaves 17.6 x 12.4 cm/6.92 x 4.88 in., binding (17^th century) 18 x 13 cm/7.08 x 5.11 in. Estimate: €800,000/1,000,000

This book of hours belonging to a rare manuscript collector features illuminations attributable to one of the late 15 th century’s most prolific artists, Jean Colombe, a protégé of the Queen of France Charlotte of Savoy, Louis XI’s second wife. Colombe created many lavish works but this is one of his most prestigious. The coat of…

This article is for subscribers only

You still have 85% left to read.

To discover more, Subscribe