The Prayer Book of Anne de Bretagne

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A Very Personal Prayer Book

he lovingly designed prayer book of Anne de Bretagne, first wife of Charles VIII and later wife of Louis XII and subsequently Queen of France, on behalf of her son Charles-Orland. This prayer book was created in Tours for Anne between 1492 and 1495 and is held today in the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York. It enchants through its rich illuminations by means of 34 miniatures, which are among the most delicate found in works from the end of the 15th Century.

It is the one surviving work of the miniature painter of the period, Jean Poyet, a contemporary of Rogier van der Weyden, Hugo van der Goes and Jean Fouquet. His exceptional talent is demonstrated in his misty landscapes, the superlative delicate faces, the graceful figures and the bright and often unique colour combinations of the garments plus the Italian influenced architecture in his miniatures highlights the renaissance in France.

A Testimony of Maternal Love

The prayer book agrees entirely with Anne's personal desires and was obviously produced for her son, the future King of France. It is designed to complement his prayers and meditations, provide a spiritual companion and assist in the education of a young boy of his age.

The richly pictorial book was one of Anne de Bretagne's personal designs, so that she could sit down with her son and provide his religious education. The complete prayers would provide all that the young Dauphin would require. In consideration of his coming office as King of France, his mother included a number of special prayers to help the future King obtain the required wisdom.

Destiny however, decided differently. Charles-Orland died at the age of only three years. The miniature prayer book has remained, however, as testimony of maternal love.

Moreover, it served as model in structure and production for a further prayer book, that of the apprehensive mother Renée de France for her youngest daughter from the marriage with Ludwig XII,. The Flower Prayer Book of Renée de France has also been published in facsimile form by Faksimile Verlag Luzern.

Anne was tireless and generous in supporting not only art but also literature and music. She purchased numerous manuscripts and funded many poets and musicians. Anne's personal library included over 3000 religious, historic and literary works. Her library is a testimony to her scholarly position: She wrote in Latin and Greek and owned many manuscripts written in Hebrew.

Jean Poyet - The Universal Artist

Anne de Bretagne employed for her prayer book a miniature painter who is looked upon as being one greatest of his time. Poyet came from Tours and at one point in his career the versatile artist was sought after by three royal courts: Under Ludwig XI he was the official artist. With Anne de Bretagne, Charles VIII and Ludwig XII he became their book illuminator as well as the organiser and manager of the royal ceremonial events. This Facsimile of one of his most beautiful works helps to raise his standing today to the level he deserves as one of the first Western miniature painters.

The Facsimile Edition

The facsimile produces the beautiful manuscript in its original size, 125 x 80 mm. The wealth of miniatures is outstanding: On 62 pages there are 34 miniatures, all by the masters hand. The miniatures are framed in borders containing the letters A, N and E. The cover is decorated with the emblem of Anne de Bretagne which is a further indication of the personal character of this work. Numerous multicoloured initials with flower decorations, partially on gold with red or blue backgrounds, partition the prayer text. The text is in Latin and a with a single prayer in middle French. The binding is in burgundy velvet.

The facsimile edition is limited to 1980 copies world-wide. Of these, 980 are reserved for German speaking countries.

The Commentary Volume

The scholarly commentary volume, with contributions from Roger S. Wieck, Curator at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York, and Michelle Hearne illuminates the personality of Anne de Bretagne as a patron of the arts and a protective mother. The work is put into the context of the artists different creations. An entire transcription and translation of all the prayers are similarly components of the commentary volume which opens up the manuscript to the present-day reader.

The facsimile volume and commentary volume are presented in a dark-red leather case. This case matches exactly the original from the Pierpont Morgan Library.

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