The Art of Illumination

Belles Heures of Jean de France, duc de Berry, 1405–1408/9. Herman, Paul, and Jean de Limbourg (Franco-Netherlandish, active in France by 1399–1416). French; Made in Paris. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum; 9 3/8 x 6 5/8 in. (23.8 x 16.8 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Cloisters Collection, 1954 (54.1.1).

The Story of Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome Extracts a Thorn from the Lion’s Paw, Folio 186v

Look closely here at the monks’ robes to see the technical perfection of the Limbourgs’ painting technique, building up modeling with tiny brushstrokes and slight gradations of tone. Facial features also are delineated with the smallest of brushes.