Petites Heures: The Duke of Berry Setting Out on Pilgrimage (fol. 288v) was created by the Limbourg brothers around 1412 as an illumination on parchment. This work forms part of the Petites Heures of Jean de Berry, a richly decorated book of hours commissioned by the Duke himself, who was a notable patron of the arts in early 15th-century France.

The illumination depicts Jean de Berry as a pilgrim, marking a significant moment where the duke is shown both as a devout believer and as a powerful nobleman, reflecting his dual identity and the personal nature of the commission. The scene shows the Duke of Berry, dressed in a dark robe adorned with gold motifs, standing at the gates of a fortified city. He is accompanied by attendants and a messenger, who leads the way along a winding path. The duke’s attire is elaborate, yet he holds a pilgrim’s staff, indicating his role as a traveler to a holy site.

Above the group, an angel in a pink robe gestures forward, symbolizing divine guidance. The background is filled with detailed architecture and a lush landscape, all rendered in vibrant colors and fine detail, characteristic of the Limbourg brothers’ style. The border is decorated with intricate vine and leaf motifs in gold. Jean de Berry’s patronage of the Petites Heures is well documented, and he employed several artists over many years to complete the manuscript.

The Limbourg brothers, renowned for their work on illuminated manuscripts, were among the most celebrated artists in his service. The manuscript is held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris (Latin 18014). The Petites Heures is recognized as an outstanding example of late medieval manuscript illumination and reflects the close relationship between the patron and the artists.