It has been more than two hundred years since such an opportunity presented itself for the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF): to acquire a manuscript from the library of Charles V, the Breviary for the use of the Sainte-Chapelle but to raise the necessary funds, 1.6 million euros, she is asking for help and is launching an appeal to donors to raise this sum before December 31.
Charles V and the BnF, almost a family history
The BnF, one of the oldest French institutions, is the national library of the French Republic, heir to the royal collections built up since the late Middle Ages.
In 1398, Charles V installed his book collection, estimated at nearly a thousand pieces, in a specially arranged room in the Louvre. The first royal library was born!
To date, 185 works have been found and 84 are kept in the BnF's manuscript department, which represents the historical core of the collections. The Breviary for the use of the Sainte-Chapelle, which can be found in the library of the Château d'Anet in the 18th century, was bought at that time by a large British family and remained there until 2015, when it was acquired by a foreign collector.
Since 2016, the BnF has initiated a scientific editing program of the inventories of the royal bookshop of Charles V to systematically identify the works. The acquisition of the manuscript, unknown until now, could advance this scientific program.
A manuscript rich in illumination and information
This liturgical manuscript is a masterpiece of French Gothic illumination. It is illustrated with 33 miniatures and decorated with a secondary decoration. The Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy, an illuminator active from 1350 to 1380 in Paris, whose naturalistic style was influenced by the painter Jean Pucelle, produced the majority of the paintings in the manuscript.
The scenes, which are very narrative, show a variety of animals and landscapes punctuated by clumps of trees. A dozen miniatures were created by the Master of the Book of the Coronation of Charles V, another illuminator. One of the most original depicts King Charles V of France kneeling before the Holy Relics.
This work includes a calendar of funeral services of kings and several queens of France from Philip IV to Jeanne de Bourbon, wife of Charles V, and mentions the great liturgical feasts associated with the crown of France.
How to become a merchant?
To help the BnF acquire this exceptional manuscript, it is possible to make an online donation on the library's website or to send a cheque, before December 31.
The BnF reminds us that donations are tax deductible for individuals and companies and offers Culture Passes and invitations according to the amount donated.
