Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu
Savoy (France) — Ca. 1460
Once owned by the Rothschild family and unique in its form: the famous heart-shaped hymnbook with 44 love songs for Bishop Montchenu, a clerical romantic at the French royal court.
The so-called Chansonnier cordiforme – the heart-shaped hymnbook – or Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu is one of the most exceptional manuscripts created in medieval Europe because of its shape. The small masterpiece was commissioned sometime between 1460 and 1477 by the French nobleman Jean de Montchenu (1442–1506), Bishop of Agen and Viviers, who was surprisingly known at the French royal court as an advocate of romantic love. Accordingly, it contains 44 love songs in French and Italian, written by some of the most important composers of the 15th century. Just as appealing as the external form of this special codex is its incredibly precious illumination. Two full-page miniatures illustrate the love that the songs explore. Plus, every page of this precious musical gem is decorated with shiny gold borders made of wonderful vegetal elements and imaginative, humorous drolleries.
The gorgeous, heart-shaped hymnbook once belonging to the French nobleman Jean de Montchenu is counted among the most exciting and precious manuscripts to be created in the Middle Ages. The work contains 44 polyphonic chants in French and Italian, which were composed by the most famous musicians of the Middle Ages – Guilliaume Dufay, Johannes Ockeghem, and Antoine Busnois inter alia. The precious codex attained worldwide fame particularly because of its unusual shape. The closed book takes the form of a heart, which splits into two hearts when opened. Consistent with its design, the text of the work’s lyrics deal with love, in particular the love affairs of the French court during the lifetime of its patron. The richly designed book pages contain colorful illuminations, gilded initials, and lavish bordures with fantastic animal and plant patterns.
Love at the French Court
The canon Jean de Montchenu was a nobleman in 15th century France. There is very little reliable information concerning the cleric’s life today. It is known, however, that he was bishop of the parishes of Agen and Vivier in 1477 and 1478, respectively. Montchenu had the reputation of being an advocate of romantic love between people at the French royal court. Consistent with his personality, the nobleman commissioned his heart-shaped hymnbook with medieval French and Italian love songs between 1460 and 1477. It was written and charmingly illuminated by unbelievably talented, but nonetheless unknown artists. From its patron Montchenu, the Chansonnier passed through various hands before coming into the possession of the Rothschild family, more precisely, the private library of the youngest son of James de Rothschild, Henri. In a ceremonial act, the masterful work was presented to the French National Library by Henri de Rothschild on March 22nd, 1933.
A Unique Design Concept
The Chansonnier opens up like a butterfly consisting of two interconnected hearts. Both of the hearts represent two loving people who send messages of love to one another with the help of the songs contained in the book. The work is the only medieval manuscript worldwide to boast such a well thought out design concept. The word “heart” was replaced with a pictogram in the lyrics. It is not only the outer form of the songbook that makes it a unique masterpiece, but also its unbelievably rich illumination. It is undoubtedly counted among the most beautiful and elaborate manuscripts produced during the Middle Ages.
Excellent Illustration
The manuscript, furnished all over with colorful and golden embellishments, contains two breathtaking, full-page miniatures. The first image shows Cupid, the angel of love, and a young woman whose breast bears one of the angel’s arrows. The goddess Fortuna is found alongside Cupid and is depicted spinning her wheel of fortune. The other miniature shows the same young woman, this time depicted arm in arm with her sweetheart. Both images are framed by fantastic bordure patterns from all kinds of flowers and plants, birds, dogs, cats, and other creatures. These charming depictions surround practically every page of the parchment manuscript. The manuscript was also generously furnished with letters made of noble gold leaf.
Codicology
Alternative Titles
Book of the Heart
Libro del corazón o Cancionero cordiforme
Le chansonnier Cordiforme de Jean de Montchenu
Herzbuch
Size / Format
144 pages / 22.0 × 16.0 cm
Origin
France
Date
Ca. 1460
Epochs
Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style
Gothic
Genre
Music
Language
French
Italian
Spanish
Script
French littera bastarda
Illustrations
2 full-page miniatures, numerous golden initials and floral borders with animal drolleries
Content
44 love songs
Patron
Jean de Montchenu (1442–1506), Bishop of Agen and Viviers
Artist / School
Guillaume Dufay (1397–1474)
Johannes Ockeghem (ca. 1420–97)
Gilles de Binche (ca. 1400–60)
Antoine Busnois (ca. 1430–1492)
Juan Cornago (ca. 1400 – after 1475)
Johannes Regis (ca. 1425 – ca. 1496)
Hayne van Ghizeghem (ca. 1445–97)
Firminus Caron (fl. 1460–75)
Robert Morton (ca. 1430–79)
Barbingant (fl. ca. 1460)
Johannes Vincenet (ca. 1400 – ca. 1479)
Gilles Binchois (ca. 1400–60)
Walter Frye (d. 1474)
Previous Owners
James de Rothschild (1792–1868)
Henri de Rothschild (1872–1947)
