Limbourg brothers: Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry; folio 14 - Anatomical Zodiac Man (1411-1416)

(Musée Condé, Chantilly, Oise, France)

The book 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry' is a very famous illuminated manuscript. The book is a so-called 'book of hours' - a collection of prayers to be said during the canonical hours of the liturgical day. These books were created for people who wished to incorporate elements of monasticism into their devotional life. A book of hours is the most common surviving medieval illuminated manuscript. The 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry' was created by the Limbourg brothers for John the Magnificent, Duke of Berry (1340-1416) -  brother of King Charles V of France and Duke Philip the Bold of Burgundy. This page shows an anatomical Zodiac Man: the 12 signs of the zodiac appear over the corresponding anatomical regions. Top left and top right is the coat of arms of Duc de Berry (3 fleurs-de-lis on a blue background). This is a very unusaul and only appaers in this book, probably because of the interest of the duc de Berry in astrology. Book created between 1411-1416.