The Très Riches Heures
du duc de Berry

Château de Chantilly unveils one of medieval art’s most precious treasures: the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry. This international exhibition of considerable scope offers a unique opportunity to contemplate this legendary manuscript, dubbed the “Mona Lisa of manuscripts,” under exceptional circumstances.

A fascinating immersion into the artistic and cultural universe of the 15th century that will never be repeated.

An exceptional manuscript at the heart of Medieval Art

The Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry embodies the pinnacle of medieval illumination. This book of hours, commissioned by Jean de Berry, brother of King Charles V, represents far more than a simple collection of prayers: it constitutes a veritable artistic manifesto of its era.

Born from the genius of the Limbourg brothers, those master illuminators of the Burgundian court who revolutionised the codes of their art, the work bears witness to the refinement and sophistication of the late Middle Ages.

Its 121 miniatures offer a striking visual journey through the landscapes, castles, and scenes of daily life that have shaped our perception of this historical period. Each page reveals remarkable technical mastery, where naturalistic observations blend with poetic idealisation of the medieval world.

A historic exhibition and an ambitious restoration project

This museographic presentation brings together nearly 150 works from international collections, enabling visitors to trace the complex history of this masterpiece developed over nearly a century. The exhibition highlights the fascinating personality of Jean de Berry, bibliophile prince and enlightened patron, by assembling for the first time since his death in 1416 all of his known books of hours.

Manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, and precious art objects compose an exceptional setting that contextualises the creation of this major work. Thanks to the restoration project currently being undertaken by the Musée Condé, the famous calendar is presented unbound, offering visitors unprecedented intimacy with these pages of striking beauty.

This conservation intervention, conducted under the direction of Mathieu Deldicque and Marie-Pierre Dion, aims to preserve this irreplaceable heritage for the long term, ensuring its transmission to future generations.

The exhibition benefits from the exceptional partnership of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Curation

• Mathieu Deldicque, Lead Heritage Conservator, Director of the Condé Museum
• Marie-Pierre Dion, Principal Conservator, Libraries