Author Description

A richly illustrated book of hours was produced in the surroundings of the Parisian court at the beginning of the sixteenth century, presumably commis-sioned by Philippa von Geldern (1467- 1546), Princess of Lower Saxony and later Duchess of Lorraine. Jean Coene IV, one of the few illuminators of the time who is known by name, furnished the unusual work with a completely illustrated calendar and twenty-four -- of formerly twenty-seven -- large miniatures. The book of hours, which is privately owned, is now being presented to the public in its entirety for the first time -- accompanied by an examination of the role of the client and of the classification of Jean Coene IV as an illuminator Roll within the context of Parisian book art around 1500.