# René d'Anjou: Livre du cuer d'amours espris [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [EYCK, Barthélemy d']() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Manuscript \(Codex Vindobonensis 2597\), 289 x 206 mm ## Commentary René, Duke of Anjou, was noted for his cultural interests. At his court in Angers a captivating style of painting flourished for a short time in mid-fifteenth century. The masterpiece of his court is a richly illustrated manuscript entitled Livre du cuer d'amours espris, or Book of the heart Seized by Love, an allegorical romance, typical of the literature of courtly love, that was written by the Duke himself. The miniatures were executed soon after the completion of the text by René in 1457. The unknown illuminator was called the Master of René of Anjou, later identified as Barthélemy d'Eyck. The details of the text demanded that the artist contend with unusual lighting effects for times of the day, night and dawn. What distinguishes these miniatures are the uncanny sensory effects of light that are achieved through the use of artificial light sources introduced in the night scenes, and the radiance of a burst of sunlight near the horizon at daybreak. The most famous miniature is that illustrating Amour, god of love, taking the heart of the love-sick king, who is bedridden, and offering it to the personification of Desire, dressed in white Italianate costume. ## Related artworks - [Annunciation]() - [Boccaccio: La Théséide]() - [Boccaccio: La Théséide]() - [Holy Family]() - [Portrait of a Man]() - [René d'Anjou: Livre du cuer d'amours espris]() - [René d'Anjou: Livre du cuer d'amours espris]() - [René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments]() - [René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments]() - [René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments]() - [René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()