Bible Historiale (BL Harley 4381 & 4382)

People before a king, Harley 4382, f. 1r.

Colloquial name(s): Bible Historiale, vol. 1 & 2

Official name(s): British Library, Harley 4381 and British Library, Harley 4382

Date: between 1403 & 1404 (source and source)

Origin: Paris, Central France (source and source)

Online facsimile available via: British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts - Harley 4381 and Harley 4382

These manuscripts were copied by Regnault de Montet (source and source). Harley 4381 is illustrated by three artists: the first Master of the Bible Historiale of the Duke of Berry (BNF Fr. 129) aka the Ravenelle Master, who illuminated ff. 3r, 6v, 9r and 9v; a follower of Jacquemart de Hesdin, who illuminated ff. 1r, 3v-5v, 7r-8r and 10r-16r; and the Virgil Master, who illuminated ff. 21v-275r) (source). Harley 4382 is illustrated by the same artists: the Ravenelle Master illuminated f. 1r; the follower of Jacquemart de Hesdin illuminated ff. 159r-199r; and the Virgil Master illuminated ff. 12r-154v and 211r-258v (source).

Harley 4381 contains 1 full-page miniature with bas-de-page and full foliate borders including four small miniatures in the corners; 1 small double-column miniature; 60 small column-wide miniatures; 10 decorated initials; and a few small decorated initials (source). Harley 4382 contains 1 full-page miniature with full foliate borders including five spaces for small miniatures in the corners and centre of the lower margin; 1 large frame with the miniatures not executed; 44 small column-wide miniatures; 18 large decorated initials; and a few small decorated initials (source).

Basic descriptions of the illustrations are provided by the British Library with the facsimiles.