Old Art

August Falconry, Château d’Étampes

Artists: Limbourg brothers (fl. 1402–1416): August

Title : Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Folio 8, verso: August

Part of Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry

Object type manuscript illumination

Description

In the foreground is a falconry scene: the procession on horseback leaves for the hunt, preceded by a falconer.

This one holds in the right hand the long stick which will allow him to beat trees and bushes to make the game fly away.

He carries two birds in his fist and, in his belt, a decoy in the shape of a bird which was garnished with meat to entice the falcons to return.

The procession is accompanied by dogs intended to lift the game or bring back the one that has been killed.

On their horse, three characters carry a bird, probably a hawk or a merlin. In the background are represented the agricultural work of the month of August.

A peasant mows the field, a second gathers the ears into sheaves while a third loads them onto a cart pulled by two horses. Nearby, other figures bathe in a river—perhaps the Juine—or dry themselves in the sun.

In the background stands the Château d’Étampes, which the Duc de Berry had acquired in 1400, on the death of Louis d’Évreux, Count of Étampes.

Behind the ramparts, we can see the quadrangular keep and the Guinette tower, which still exists.

Date between 1412 and 1416

Medium painting on vellum

Dimensions height: 22.5 cm (8.8 in); width: 13.6 cm (5.3 in)

Collection Condé Museum

Accession number Ms.65, f.8v