Two Leaves from a Book of Hours: David in Prayer and a text leaf with an illuminated border
Two Leaves from a Book of Hours: David in Prayer and a text leaf with an illuminated border, 1520s Hours Workshop (French), Noël Bellemare (French) c. 1530-35
Seven Penitential Psalms, Opening of Psalm 6 The 1520s Hours Workshop was primarily engaged in the production of "jewel-like" luxury books of hours for a wealthy clientele. Until recently the workshop was believed to be located in Tours, France, but new evidence points to Paris as the site of its activity under the direction of the Antwerp-born miniaturist Noël Bellemare (died 1546). The palette is characterized by certain fuschia pinks and bright acid greens; both colors are unusual in French manuscript painting of the period. Set in the foreground of the miniatures, against deep, pale blue landscapes, are figures draped in brilliant orange, deep raspberry reds, and enamel blue. The miniatures are either framed with illusionistic floral borders or else enclosed within "Fontainebleau" style architectural frames. The exaggerated, often sinuous postures of many of the figures, as well as the workshop's apparent delight in sweeping vistas, point directly to Antwerp painting of the painting. Another link to the Antwerp Mannerists is found in woodblock prints and engravings, many of which apparently served as models to the workshop. There is also a long-standing tradition that the 1520s Hours Workshop enjoyed royal patronage. 
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
