Question

Explain why some artistic elements in works such as the Limbourg Brother’s Très Riches Heures (1411-1416) look realistic to you and which do not look realistic. Discuss whether the figures fit into the space, whether their movements are realistic, whether their clothes fit their bodies properly, and whether there are shadows that make sense.

Answer 1

The Limbourg brothers's ornate Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry perhaps marks both the beginning and a highpoint of Netherlandish illumination. Later the Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy explored the same mix of illusionism and realism. The Limbourgs' career ended just as van Eyck's began – by 1416 all the brothers (none of whom had reached 30) and their patron Jean, Duke of Berry were dead, most likely from plague. Van Eyck is thought to have contributed several of the more acclaimed miniatures of the Turin-Milan Hours as the anonymous artist known as Hand G. A number of illustrations from the period show a strong stylistic resemblance to Gerard David, though it is unclear whether they are from his hands or those of followers.