Jean Corbechon, Livre des propriétés des choses
Master of the Mazarine Hours
Artists
The Master of the Mazarine Hours, one of the foremost illuminators working in Paris c.1400-1415, is named after one of his finest works, a Book of Hours (Paris, Bibliothèque Mazarine, MS 469). He is known for his luminous colour scheme and complex mixtures of pigments, carefully blended to create subtle effects. The Master of the Mazarine Hours was a close collaborator of another leading Parisian artist, the Boucicaut Master (c. 1390-1430). Important iconographic and stylistic parallels for the Fitzwilliam’s copy of Corbechon’s text are found in a slightly earlier copy of the same work, which was illuminated by the Boucicaut Master c. 1409-1410 (Paris, BnF, MS fr. 9141).
1
![](/illuminated/media/w800h800/hotspot_image/MS 251_31r_HS1_20x.jpg)
Detail of God’s face under magnification (20x).
2
![](/illuminated/media/w800h800/hotspot_image/MS 251_31r_HS2_7-5x.jpg)
Detail of a hybrid creature under magnification (7.5x).
3
![](/illuminated/media/w800h800/hotspot_image/MS 251_31r_HS3_7-5x.jpg)
Detail of a dragon under magnification (7.5x).