International Gothic style

Question 1

Diptych

Answer 1

comes from Greek and refers to two panels hinged together

Question 2

illuminated manuscript

Answer 2

artistic decoration of hand-written texts

Question 3

vellum

Answer 3

made from calfskin, text was written on vellum pages

Question 4

examples of the style

Answer 4

• The Wilton Diptych

- Les tres riches heures de duc de berry

Question 5

The International Gothic Style

Answer 5

• refers to style of courtly painting found in western Europe from 14th-15th centuries
• originated in noble + royal courts in France

Question 6

characteristics of style

Answer 6

• artistic courtly themes
• vivid colours + gold leaf used
• realistic details of plants + landscapes
• elegant + elongated figures
• decorative qualities

Question 7

tempera paint

Answer 7

water-soluble quick-drying paint of powdered pigments, which are bound together with egg yolk or egg white. It was mainly used for painting on wood panel

Question 8

Wilton Diptych - subject matter

Answer 8

• small diptych consisting of 2 hinged paintings

- portable object used as aid in prayer

Question 9

Wilton Diptych - left panel

Answer 9

• 4 figures against broad gold bg
• King Richard II kneeling in profile, looking towards right panel
• behind: St John the Baptist, St Edward the confessor, Sir Edmund the Martyr
• each identified by what theyre carrying. John - lamb of God, Edward - ring he is associated with a miracle he performed, Edmund - arrow he was martyred with
• King R wearing own personal emblem of white stag on chain of pearls + cloak
• idea that he is getting right to rule from Virgin Mary _ Christ

Question 10

Wilton Diptych - right panel

Answer 10

• Virgin Mary surrounded by 11 angels, meadow studded w/ flowers
• holding Christ child + displays his foot (one day nailed to cross at crucifixion)
• raised hand, Christ child blesses Richard’s eign
• figures v elegant
• Christ looking towards King Richard in left panel + reaching towards banner held by angel
• on banner: flag of St George + an orb
• angels adorn emblem of King R (white stag) + wear crown of thorns

Question 11

Wilton Diptych - materials/colour

Answer 11

• 12 x 18 inches open, done in egg tempera, applied in thin glazes
• bg + other details enhanced with gold leaf
• left: behind figures - v. fine gold lace like pattern of vines
• lapis lazuli for blue garmens
• robe coloured /w vermilion ( costly pigment)
• some colours faded, eg. roses in angels’ hair painted in richer pink, green grass darkened considerably

Question 12

Wilton Diptych - contrast between two panels

Answer 12

• lively movement + dramatic gestures of angels contrasts 4 motionless male figures
• brilliant blue drapery vs humbler earthy tones
• colourful flowery meadow vs bare ground

Question 13

Book of Hours

Answer 13

• small medieval prayer book designed for private use of wealthy patrons
• highly decorated manuscripts + contain psalms, prayers, Gospel extracts + church calendar
• Patrons believed time spent suffering in purgatory reduced by reciting the prayers + psalms

Question 14

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

artist

Answer 14

The Limbourg Brothers

Question 15

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

function

Answer 15

• follows medieval format of a Book of Hours (small medieval prayer book designed for private use of wealthy patrons)
• made for French prince, John, Duke of Berry

Question 16

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

size

Answer 16

30cm in heigh, 21cm wide, 206 pages

Question 17

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

style

Answer 17

• International Gothic Style
• elegant + decorative pictures, borders, letters
• variety of colours (intense reds, blues, greens)
• depiction of specific scenes in realistic pictorial space
• skilful painting + line drawing tech, depict naturalistic details
• peaceful, timeless atmosphere
• expressive storytelling

Question 18

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

style example

Answer 18

• example: January
• full of figures w/ naturalistic drapery + expressive gestures and facial expressions
• perspective: figures in front larger than soldiers behind

Question 19

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

materials

Answer 19

• painted onto vellum (parchment) using gouache (thicc watercolour)
• variety of colours (from minerals, plants, chemicals)
• extremely fine brushes (fine detail)

Question 20

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

Composition

Answer 20

• consists: psalms, prayers, gospel extracts + church calendar
• introductory calendar section illuminated w/ 12 paintings
• scenes of peasant farming life (labours of the months), aristocratic leisure activities (falconry, feasting)
• some have Duke of Berry’s castle in bg
• above each: semicircle w/ signs of zodiac + dates from church’s lunar calendar

Question 21

‘Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry’ (month of January)

composition example

Answer 21

• illustrates new year’s banquet scene + giving of presents. Duke of Berry portrayed wearing bright blue robe
• Duke de Berry’s castle in bg. In front of castle: numerous soldiers
• front: people surrounding long horizontal table full of food
• duke shown in blue to right foreground

Question 22

Part B of questions

discuss development of the international gothic style/the period in which work was produced

Answer 22

• Internation G.S refers to style of courtly painting found in Western Europe
• originated in noble + royal courts in France
• style stimulated by growing cultural rivalry of European royal courts
• portable works (eg. Wilton Diptych + illuminated manuscript) travelled widely - lead to common aesthetic among royalty + higher nobility
• main influences: N France, Durchy of Burgundy, Imperial court in Prague, Italy
• royal marriages spread style
• major artists of style include ‘Limbourg Brothers’ (Les Tres Heures)