The King, first Patron of the Realm
In the Middle Ages, artistic commissions were the preserve of kings, queens and powerful families in the kingdom. This patronage was evident in the fields of extravagant works such as those in gold or tapestries. But it was also present in painting, sculpture, stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and decorative items or those for private devotion, etc.
Among the items that kings and queens might keep in their rooms, books and manuscripts, as well as chests and caskets, were particularly popular due to their generic nature.
The book, a symbol of power
Books were not yet printed in the Middle Ages but were richly decorated manuscripts. The pages in them were illustrated with true works of art known as illuminations. These manuscripts were cultural and political tools for kings and princes, who were the only ones to possess them in large numbers in their libraries. By the end of the 14th century, Charles V’s library was particularly renowned and contained some 900 works. Colossal sums were spent on the illuminations, but luxury was also expressed in the binding and covers; embroiderers and goldsmiths were in charge of creating these.
The powerful continued to be drawn to books, even after the invention of printing in the mid-15th century. Although the art of engraving replaced the art of illuminations, kings and queens continued to invest in printed books and order fine covers with their coats of arms on them.
Chests and boxes
Jewellery boxes, perfume and accessories chests and wedding caskets - these weren’t simply fine containers for storing special items but works of art in their own right! They held the most precious treasures: those we like to keep close to hand, in our own room, and which we never part with even when travelling.
Illustration
Lady praying to the Virgin in front of an open window inside a church
The Book of Hours of Mary of Burgundy
By Mary of Burgundy’s Viennese master
Flanders, circa 1477
Vienna, Austrian National Library, Cod Vind. 1857, f° 14 v°