August
June from Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry 1411It's cool to find out from reading the fine article (linked above) that the Limbourg brothers were teen-aged when they painted the most beautiful Book of Hours for Jean, Duke of Berry.
Considering general life expectancy was only about 35 or so,it makes sense, since theirs was a culture peopled almost exclusively by the very young, with no apprehension at all of a carefree period of life called "childhood".(Surviving infancy was key and the greatest hurdle, with each year gained past five giving one a better chance of making it to ripe old age). Still, it is astonishing, especially when taking in the self- assured formal grace and bold narrative invention of the Brothers exquisite, panoramic imagery.
The Met's exhibit of the Tres Riches Heures, with its leaves unbound and on display individually, opens next March.
