Modelling of draperies
Artists' Techniques
This manuscript is among the earliest examples of an innovative, three-dimensional modelling technique that sought to convey the human anatomy beneath the fabrics. The main stimulus for this development was Parisian sculpture of c. 1245-1270 at Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame. The illuminators of Isabelle’s manuscript replicated the sculpted draperies by means of a sophisticated gradation of lighter and darker colours in order to simulate highlights and shadows. The modelling is most advanced in blue, grey, purple, pink and grey-blue fabrics as well as in white ones shaded in blue. It is less pronounced in green and red draperies.
The fabrics are generally modelled with broad shadows painted in indigo and ultramarine, and thin black lines. In the miniatures painted by Hand D, however, the black outlines are not present at all and the folds are indicated entirely with a nuanced gradation of colour (e.g. fol. 220r).
Virgin and Child, and Betrayal (Hours of the Virgin, Matins)
The enthroned Virgin balances the Christ Child on her lap and points to two vases in the upper part of the initial D. Below, Christ receives the kiss of betrayal from Judas, as St Peter reaches behind to cut Malchus’ ear. The initial was painted by Hand C.