Jean Pucelle facts for kids

A page from the Belleville Breviary by Jean Pucelle

The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux by Jean Pucelle

Jean Pucelle (born around 1300, died 1355) was a very talented artist from Paris, France. He lived during the Gothic period and was famous for decorating books by hand. These special books are called illuminated manuscripts.

Pucelle was great at drawing funny little pictures called drolleries. He also drew traditional religious scenes. Many people think he was one of the best artists who created tiny pictures, known as miniatures, in the early 1300s.

He mostly worked for the royal family, who supported his art. Pucelle is thought to have brought new art ideas from Italian artists like Giotto and Duccio to Northern Europe. His art shows a clear influence from the Italian art style of the 1300s, called trecento.

Pucelle's unique style used soft, delicate figures drawn in shades of gray, known as grisaille. He would then add small touches of bright color to make them stand out.

Pucelle played a big role in how illuminated manuscripts developed. By the 1380s, French art of decorating books was split into two main styles. One style followed Pucelle's artistic ideas, and the other was known for its realistic Flemish art.

Famous Artworks by Jean Pucelle

Jean Pucelle created many important works. These books are still admired today for their beauty and new artistic ideas.

The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux

• This was a special prayer book made for the Queen of France, Jeanne d'Évreux.
• It was created between 1324 and 1328.
• The book's style was inspired by Duccio's famous painting called Maestà.

Belleville Breviary

• This is another important religious book.
• It is believed that Jeanne de Clisson once owned this beautiful book.

Franciscan Breviary

• Pucelle is also known for a Franciscan breviary, which is a book of prayers for monks.
• This book was once thought to belong to Blanche of France.

Early Designs

• Pucelle's earliest known work was designing a large seal for a hospital group in Paris.
• This shows that he worked with many different materials, not just books. He designed things like enamels and stained glass.

Pucelle's New Art Style

Pucelle's art showed a new style, similar to the early Renaissance period. This style can be seen in The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, the Belleville Breviary, and the Bible of Robert de Billyng.

These artworks featured several new ideas:

• Figures looked more like sculptures, with a sense of weight and form.
• Artists started to create a feeling of three-dimensional space in their drawings.
• The art showed new ways of expressing feelings and emotions in the characters.

See also

In Spanish: Jean Pucelle para niños