Jordan Cleek The Limbourg Brothers June 19, 2013

The Three Limbourg Brothers: Herman, Jean, and Paul

The Limbourg Brothers were sons of a wood carver, Arnold de Lymborch (Britannica). However, they received their recognition from their uncle Jean Malouel. Jean Malouel was the court painter of the queen of France, Isabella of Bavaria, and the duke of Burgundy. In fact, sometimes they were called the Malouel brothers, rather than the Limbourg brothers. The brothers were known for their landscapes and portraits with a precision that was unheard of in their time (Hidden Masters). However, they were best known for their late Gothic manuscript illustrations (Britannica). Together they developed their style of painstaking technique of infinitesimally small details. It is essentially a court style, elegant and sophisticated, combining naturalism of detail with overall decorative effect (Web Gallery). The Belles Heures is the sole book that was illustrated by all three brothers. And for centuries, scholars have been trying to distinguish which brother illustrated which picture, but all have failed (Britannica). In my opinion, the most interesting thing about the Limbourg Brothers was that no one can tell the difference in Herman, Jean, and Pauls paintings. Having siblings, I think it is incredible that three brothers had the exact same style of painting. However, once getting over that fact, the detailing in the brothers illustrations is incredible. Back in the Limbourgs time, the pictures of the books were almost as important as the literature since literacy was low. Looking at the illustrations, one can tell exactly what is happening in the story without being told. I am in awe with the brothers skill of being story tellers with just their bodies of work.

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Jordan Cleek The Limbourg Brothers June 19, 2013

Body of Work

Pages from the Belles Heures du duc de Berry

Works Cited
"The Hidden Masters of the Middle Ages: The Limbourg Brothers." The Hidden Masters of the Middle Ages: The Limbourg Brothers. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. "Limbourg Brothers (Flemish Artists)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 June 2013. "Web Gallery of Art, Image Collection, Virtual Museum, Searchable Database of European Fine Arts (1000-1900)." Web Gallery of Art, Image Collection, Virtual Museum, Searchable Database of European Fine Arts (1000-1900). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2013.

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