Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books returns to TEFAF Maastricht this year with a dazzling selection of illuminated manuscripts and miniatures, offering a glimpse into some of the finest medieval and Renaissance book art. Among the highlights is an extraordinary 13th-century Roman d’Alexandre en prose, a rare and beautifully illustrated manuscript chronicling the legendary exploits of Alexander the Great.
Dating between 1290 and 1300, this Roman d’Alexandre en prose is already generating excitement among historians. The manuscript’s illuminations vividly depict Alexander’s legendary adventures, from battling giants and fire-breathing dragons to an extraordinary underwater expedition in a glass submarine. Its illuminator, a master of imaginative detail, brings these scenes to life with striking creativity.
Also featured in this year’s display is the Spitzer Hours, a masterpiece of 16th-century Flemish illumination once owned by the renowned collector Frederick Spitzer. Visitors can also view the Hachette Hours, a breathtakingly intricate prayer book commissioned between 1508 and 1512 for the future French queen Claude de France. Despite its tiny size, the Hachette Hours showcases exquisite gilded miniatures and remarkable craftsmanship.
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books is internationally recognized for its exceptional collection of medieval manuscripts, miniatures, and vellum leaves. With a reputation for sourcing books of outstanding artistry and provenance, the gallery works closely with museums, libraries, and collectors to preserve these cultural treasures.
TEFAF Maastricht 2025: A Leading Art Fair
TEFAF Maastricht, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs, will take place from March 15–20, 2025, at the MECC Maastricht in the Netherlands. This year’s edition brings together over 260 leading dealers from around 20 countries, offering visitors a chance to explore 7,000 years of art history. The fair features an impressive array of works, from Old Master paintings and medieval manuscripts to modern and contemporary art, photography, jewelry, and 20th-century design.
Among the highlights of TEFAF Maastricht 2025 is the second annual TEFAF Summit, scheduled for March 17, which will explore “Reimagining Philanthropy: New Models for Private Funding in the Arts.” Additionally, a special loan exhibition from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) will showcase works by Belgian Modernist pioneers James Ensor, Rik Wouters, and Jules Schmalzigaug.
A Tribute to the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
TEFAF Maastricht 2025 also marks the announcement of the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund’s latest beneficiary: the Musée Condé, which will receive funding to restore the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, one of the most significant illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages.
In a fascinating connection, Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books is showcasing a related manuscript—the G&H Book of Hours—illuminated by the Master of Spencer 6. This deluxe commission contains a striking calendar with twelve full-page images, directly inspired by the Très Riches Heures. The November scene, depicting young aristocrats hunting birds, even features a recognizable landmark: the Château of Mehun-sur-Yèvre, a distinctive reference that links this manuscript to Bourges’ artistic tradition.
Visitors to TEFAF Maastricht can view these manuscripts in person at Stand 114. Early access days run from March 13–14, with the public fair open from March 15–20. Tickets are available through the TEFAF Ticket Webshop.
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books returns to TEFAF Maastricht this year with a dazzling selection of illuminated manuscripts and miniatures, offering a glimpse into some of the finest medieval and Renaissance book art. Among the highlights is an extraordinary 13th-century Roman d’Alexandre en prose, a rare and beautifully illustrated manuscript chronicling the legendary exploits of Alexander the Great.
A Rare Alexander Romance
Dating between 1290 and 1300, this Roman d’Alexandre en prose is already generating excitement among historians. The manuscript’s illuminations vividly depict Alexander’s legendary adventures, from battling giants and fire-breathing dragons to an extraordinary underwater expedition in a glass submarine. Its illuminator, a master of imaginative detail, brings these scenes to life with striking creativity.
Exquisite Flemish and French Illuminated Books
Also featured in this year’s display is the Spitzer Hours, a masterpiece of 16th-century Flemish illumination once owned by the renowned collector Frederick Spitzer. Visitors can also view the Hachette Hours, a breathtakingly intricate prayer book commissioned between 1508 and 1512 for the future French queen Claude de France. Despite its tiny size, the Hachette Hours showcases exquisite gilded miniatures and remarkable craftsmanship.
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books is internationally recognized for its exceptional collection of medieval manuscripts, miniatures, and vellum leaves. With a reputation for sourcing books of outstanding artistry and provenance, the gallery works closely with museums, libraries, and collectors to preserve these cultural treasures.
TEFAF Maastricht 2025: A Leading Art Fair
TEFAF Maastricht, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs, will take place from March 15–20, 2025, at the MECC Maastricht in the Netherlands. This year’s edition brings together over 260 leading dealers from around 20 countries, offering visitors a chance to explore 7,000 years of art history. The fair features an impressive array of works, from Old Master paintings and medieval manuscripts to modern and contemporary art, photography, jewelry, and 20th-century design.
Among the highlights of TEFAF Maastricht 2025 is the second annual TEFAF Summit, scheduled for March 17, which will explore “Reimagining Philanthropy: New Models for Private Funding in the Arts.” Additionally, a special loan exhibition from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) will showcase works by Belgian Modernist pioneers James Ensor, Rik Wouters, and Jules Schmalzigaug.
A Tribute to the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
TEFAF Maastricht 2025 also marks the announcement of the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund’s latest beneficiary: the Musée Condé, which will receive funding to restore the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, one of the most significant illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages.
In a fascinating connection, Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books is showcasing a related manuscript—the G&H Book of Hours—illuminated by the Master of Spencer 6. This deluxe commission contains a striking calendar with twelve full-page images, directly inspired by the Très Riches Heures. The November scene, depicting young aristocrats hunting birds, even features a recognizable landmark: the Château of Mehun-sur-Yèvre, a distinctive reference that links this manuscript to Bourges’ artistic tradition.
Spencer 6. France, Bourges, c. 1500-1510. 127 x 185 mm – Calendar double page for the month of November. © Courtesy of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books.
Where to See These Masterpieces
Visitors to TEFAF Maastricht can view these manuscripts in person at Stand 114. Early access days run from March 13–14, with the public fair open from March 15–20. Tickets are available through the TEFAF Ticket Webshop.
For more information, visit www.guenther-rarebooks.com or TEFAF Maastricht.
Top Image: The Hachette Hours. Manuscript in Latin on vellum illuminated by the Master of Claude de France, France, Tours, c. 1508-1512, 103 x 62 mm – Miniature depicting the Annunciation to the Shepherds. © Courtesy of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books.
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