PUCELLE, Jean
(active c. 1319-1334 in Paris)

Belleville Breviary

1323-26
Manuscript (Ms. lat. 10484, 2 volumes), 240 x 170 mm
Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris

The Belleville Breviary is a liturgical prayer book for the celebration of Mass, intended for recitation (volume 1: summer prayers, volume 2: winter prayers). It was probably intended for Jeanne de Belleville, the wife of Olivier de Clisson.

Both volumes of the Breviary deviate from the standard iconography. The illustrations to the Psalter include a cycle dedicated to the Sacraments. On folio 37r in volume 1, the Sacrament placed at the beginning of Psalm 70 is that of Confirmation, which is represented below, in the centre of the bas-de-page. The Dove of the Holy Ghost sweeps down to a young man who is receiving unction from the hands of a bishop. The miniature inserted into the right column of text shows St Peter in a boat being rocked by waves.