{"id":8592,"date":"2026-01-27T22:45:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T22:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sjvdenver.edu\/library\/?page_id=8592"},"modified":"2026-01-27T23:08:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T23:08:47","slug":"fascimile-book-altar-of-philip-the-good","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sjvdenver.edu\/library\/fascimile-book-altar-of-philip-the-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Altar of Philip the Good"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Altar of Philip the Good<\/strong><\/h1>\n

France\u00a0\u2014 1430\u20131450<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A unique piece of art history created for Duke Philip the Good: the unique combination of private devotional book and handy as well as decorative travel diptych for the powerful Duke of Burgundy.<\/p>\n

In the late Middle Ages, the library of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy housed countless impressive and incredibly rare book treasures. Among these precious rarities was the\u00a0Book Altar of Philip the Good<\/em>. This amazing combination of private prayer book and pictorial diptych is unique in the history of book art and is at the same time an indication of how rulership functioned in the European Middle Ages. Just like portable altars and ordinary books of hours, the duke could easily carry the precious gem with him on his numerous, long journeys and pursue his devotional practice. Until the end of his life, he used the small booklet, which was made entirely according to the personal wishes of the Duke of Burgundy, for his private devotions day after day. Thus, not only the magnificent picture program is customised for Philip, but also the composition of the prayer texts.<\/p>\n

Sometime in the year 1430, a handwritten and illuminated codex, which is\u00a0unique in the history of illumination to this day<\/strong>, arose in France. The\u00a0Book Altar of Philip the Good<\/em>, Duke of Burgundy, is a unique\u00a0combination of a private prayer and devotional book and a panel diptych<\/strong>. The exceptional work contains a selection of prayers and miniatures that played a special role in the spiritual life of the Duke. This is a manuscript that was made exactly according to the\u00a0personal wishes of Philip the Good<\/strong>\u00a0and which he used daily for quiet devotion and meditation until the end of his life. The booklet\u2019s mere 76 pages also contain\u00a0five additional splendid miniatures<\/strong>\u00a0in addition to the diptych. Many\u00a0gold initials in various sizes<\/strong>\u00a0further adorn the manuscript.<\/p>\n

From the Personal Property of Philip the Good<\/h3>\n

Philip the Good spent his time during his reign in various, sometimes far-flung residences of the ruling family of Burgundy. These trips from location to location were of great significance for his depiction of his sovereign might and was part of the everyday life of the prince. The devout ruler\u00a0dedicated himself to prayer and meditation daily<\/strong>. In order to have the Word of God to generally guide him, he had a small and easy to handle prayer book made, from which he practiced private devotion until the end of his life. The diptych part of the prayer book exhibits two pictures, which\u00a0already originate from 20 years before the body of the book<\/strong>. Both of the pictures occupied a place of such high meaning for Philip, that he wanted to have them before him for his daily prayers. That is why they were appended to the book in such an unusual and unique way. The prayer texts, which Philip chose for his devotional book, also mirrored\u00a0very personal themes<\/strong>. There were biblical themes chosen with which the Duke intimately concerned himself, e.g. Psalms from the\u00a0Devotions of St. Bernhard of Clairvaux<\/em>\u00a0and John\u2019s story of the Passion. Historically interested readers gain a very\u00a0personal and private glimpse into the life of the late-medieval prince<\/strong>\u00a0through the booklet.<\/p>\n

Illumination full of Signs and Symbols<\/h3>\n

The\u00a0Book Altar of Philip the Good<\/em>\u00a0was furnished with **splendid and elaborate miniatures<\/strong>\u00a0and countless additional decorative elements of gold and silver by an unknown illuminator. The first double-page of the book contains numerous\u00a0symbols of rule of the house of Burgundy<\/strong>\u00a0as well as the\u00a0personal coat of arms<\/strong>\u00a0of Philip the Good. A\u00a0pilgrim badge<\/strong>, which was typically affixed to hats and clothing in the Late Middle Ages, was sewn into the prayer book. Each miniature of the booklet shows Philip at prayer. Sometimes he is also depicted alone, sometimes with his son Charles or also while visiting mass. A few miniatures depict the\u00a0veneration of the Holy Trinity<\/strong>. Half of the diptych sections show a traditional representation of the trinity. The tone of this theme is bound up in the fact that the monastery, in which the Dukes of Burgundy found their final resting place, was consecrated to the Trinity. As a result, the\u00a0trinity is the overarching pictorial theme<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0Book Altar of Philip the Good<\/em>. The handsome script of the book was rounded out by diverse and imaginative ornamentation.<\/p>\n

Codicology<\/h3>\n

Alternative Titles
\n<\/strong>Buchalt\u00e4rchen Philipps des Guten
\nLibro altar de Felipe III, Duque de Borgo\u00f1a<\/p>\n

Type
\n<\/strong>Manuscript on parchment<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Size \/ Format
\n<\/strong>76 pages \/ 35.0 \u00d7 14.2 cm (book); 18.5 \u00d7 12.7 to 13.0 cm (leaves)<\/p>\n

Origin
\n<\/strong>France<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Date
\n<\/strong>1430\u20131450<\/p>\n

Epochs
\n<\/strong>Late Middle Ages Onwards<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Style
\n<\/strong>Gothic<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Genre
\n<\/strong>Private Devotion Books<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Language
\n<\/strong>Latin<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Illustrations
\n<\/strong>5 magnificent miniatures, numerous large and smaller gold initials and two diptych miniatures<\/p>\n

Patron
\n<\/strong>Philip the Good (1396\u20131467), Duke of Burgundy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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