100 images of wisdom: Christine Pizan - The Letter of Othea

100 images of wisdom: Christine Pizan - The Letter of Othea

98 miniatures of the highest quality, mostly covering more than half a page, illustrate this unique manuscript. The content, the Othea Letters, is the fascinating work of the first independent female writer of the Western world: Christine de Pizan.

Christine de Pizan, highly educated and literarily proficient, was a welcome member of the French royal court. She dedicated her works not only to the king but also to the highest nobility of his entourage.

Christine was just four years old when she was introduced to the French King Charles V in 1368 as the daughter of the Venetian physician, astronomer, and astrologer Tomaso Benvenuto de Pizzano. Tomaso had followed the king's call and brought his entire family to Paris. From then on, Christine was integrated into the educated and art-loving environment of the court.

Item No.: 41034

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100 images of wisdom: Christime Pizan
The Letter of Othea


THE SPLENDER OF THE FRENCH ROYAL COURT

The rulers of the House of Valois, as patrons, attracted artists from all over Europe to the French metropolis. Charles V laid the foundation for one of the most valuable libraries in the world, Jean Duc de Berry commissioned artists to create the most magnificent manuscripts of the time, the Dukes of Burgundy rivaled their French cousins as patrons of the arts, and Parisian goldsmithing shone throughout Europe. This world shaped the growing Christine.

AN UNUSUAL WOMAN'S FATE

Christine was married and a mother of three children, but the deaths of her father and then her husband destroyed the secure existence of the then twenty-five-year-old. A widow at that time had few options: She could return to her family's fold, hope for a new marriage, or enter a convent. But these were not alternatives for the self-assured young woman.

THE FIRST INDEPENDENT FEMALE WRITER OF THE WESTERN WORLD

Christine de Pizan chose a completely different path: she began to earn her living by writing, first as a copyist, then as an author of her own works. She benefited from her extensive education: she was familiar with the works of ancient writers like Homer, Ovid, or Virgil, as well as those of medieval authors like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio.

POETRY, HISTORY, ETHICS, AND SOCIETY

Christine de Pizan's profound education was the foundation for her diverse literary activities, which were soon recognized in court circles. Christine dedicated her rich literary work to the highest princes of her surroundings, King Charles VI and Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, Louis of Orléans, as well as the Dukes Jean de Berry and Philip of Burgundy.

THE ADVISORY VOICE OF WOMAN

Two works, in particular, established Christine de Pizan's poetic fame: she is still widely known today for "The Book of the City of Ladies" (Le Livre de la Cité des Dames). During her lifetime, her "Letter of Othea" from 1400 (Epistre Othea), with its hundred images of wisdom, was especially popular. The letter from a fictional goddess of wisdom – Othea – to the fifteen-year-old Trojan hero Hector made the poet an educator for entire generations. With a hundred examples drawn from the Trojan legend as well as ancient mythology and poetry – with Ovid's Metamorphoses playing an especially important role – advice for a righteous life is justified. Thus, Christine de Pizan was literarily at the height of her time: ancient authors, especially Virgil and Ovid, legends, and mythology had been gaining increasing popularity since the 13th century.

Thus, Christine de Pizan gave her educational principles the necessary emphasis and conveyed a clear moral worldview to her readers.

HUNDRED IMAGES OF WISDOM - ADVICE BECOMES MINIATURES

The "Letter of Othea," these hundred images of wisdom, is the most richly illustrated opus of the extraordinary poet, which inspired book artists to ever-increasing achievements throughout the 15th century. The most artistically impressive example of this clearly structured, exciting text is the illuminated manuscript from the Royal Library in The Hague, painted and written in the second half of the 15th century. It impresses not only with its varied sequence of scenes but also with the bright colors of the miniatures, whose number even exceeds the number of pages in the codex: a picture book in which one can experience the rich creative power of Christine de Pizan without even reading the text.

THE ARTIST AND HIS PATRON

The patron of this manuscript, from which two miniatures have gone missing over the centuries, was undoubtedly a high nobleman of France. The anonymous master of the 98 miniatures is also extraordinary. His high artistic quality clearly points to the artistic environment of Barthélemy d’Eyck. The echoes of the formal language of the Piccolomini Master and the Jouvenel Group, as well as parallels to the art of Jean Fouquet, are unmistakable. The creator of this illuminated manuscript belongs to the greatest painters of his time.

SPLENDER OF COLORS, GOLD, AND SILVER IN THE SERVICE OF A GREAT POET

Vivid colors, rich gold embellishments, and delicate silver characterize the 98 illustrations of this manuscript and give Christine de Pizan's life wisdoms their deserved color. Miniatures, mostly covering more than half the page, illustrate this book, which was created at a time when panel paintings and book illumination first began to directly compete with each other.

THE MAGNIFICENTLY ILLUSTRATED TEXT OF A CONFIDENT WOMAN IS REVEALED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 600 YEARS

With the manuscript from the Royal Library in The Hague, a work of the famous author is being facsimiled for the first time. This manuscript comprises 96 leaves (192 pages) in the format 13.5 x 20 cm and 98 miniatures – making it one of Christine de Pizan's richest texts. Each miniature page is adorned with delicate border decorations, some text pages also feature borders, and the text itself is decorated with numerous gold-enhanced ornamental initials and colorful decorative elements.

"100 Images of Wisdom: An Artistic Mosaic of History, Mythology, and Moral Teachings that Let the Timeless Brilliance of Christine de Pizan Shine."

Characteristics

100 Images of Wisdom: Christine Pizan - The Letter of Othea
 

Creation Year15th Century
Place of OriginFrance
LibraryRoyal Library of the Netherlands, Den Haag
SignatureMS 74G27
Extent 
Miniatures 
Language 
Type of Manuscript 
Genre 
Artist/WorkshopChristine de Pizan

 

The Edition
 

100 Images of wisdom: Christine Pizan - The Letter of Othea
 

Format20cm x 13,5 cm
LimitationLuxury case with silver application
Commentary Volume (Language) 
PublisherMüller und Schindler
Item Number41034

 

Questions and Answers

What is the facsimile '100 Images of Wisdom'?

The facsimile '100 Images of Wisdom' is a faithful reproduction of a medieval manuscript that contains the "Letter of Othea" by Christine de Pizan. This manuscript is richly illustrated and is among the most significant works of the poet.

What is the significance of the original work 'Letter of Othea' by Christine de Pizan?

The 'Letter of Othea' (Epistre Othea) is a didactic work written in 1400. It contains 100 letters from the fictional goddess of wisdom, Othea, to the young Trojan hero Hector. The letters offer advice for a righteous life and are illustrated with examples from ancient mythology and literature. The work had a significant impact on education and moral teaching of its time.

Who was the patron for the original manuscript of the 'Letter of Othea'?

The patron was undoubtedly a high noble of France who valued high-quality and artistic books. The exact name, however, is not recorded.

How does the facsimile contribute to the modern reception of Christine de Pizan's work?

The facsimile allows experiencing Christine de Pizan's work in its original splendor and detail. It makes her wisdom teachings and artistic design accessible to a broad audience and contributes to the appreciation and understanding of her work.

What is the historical background of the 'Letter of Othea'?

The 'Letter of Othea' was written around 1400, at a time when works of ancient authors like Virgil and Ovid, as well as legends and mythology, were gaining popularity again. Christine de Pizan used these sources to provide moral and ethical advice, which was well received in her time.

How was the 'Letter of Othea' received during Christine de Pizan's lifetime?

During Christine's lifetime, the 'Letter of Othea' was very popular and was appreciated as an educational work. It was circulated among noble circles and significantly contributed to her fame as a poet and advisor.

Why is the facsimile '100 Images of Wisdom' significant today?

The facsimile offers a unique insight into medieval book art and the wisdom teachings of one of the first independent female writers of the Western world. It preserves and conveys the cultural heritage of medieval literature and art, allowing the appreciation of Christine de Pizan's creative and intellectual achievements.

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