The artwork, titled “Calendar: August (Hawking)” and created by the Limbourg brothers in 1416 on vellum, is a masterful illustration that belongs to the “Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry” series. This piece is part of the International Gothic art movement and is housed at the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France.
The artwork showcases an elaborate and richly detailed scene typical of the International Gothic style. The focus is on a lively and aristocratic hawking party set against a vivid and picturesque backdrop. The upper portion features an astronomical calendar, adorned with the zodiac sign Leo and celestial motifs. Below, the scene is filled with elegantly dressed figures on horseback, engaged in falconry—a popular pastime of the nobility during the medieval period. The landscape is lush and verdant, dotted with shrubs and trees, and a grand castle stands prominently in the background, indicative of the high social status of the figures depicted. The level of intricate detailing and the vibrant color palette exemplify the exceptional craftsmanship of the Limbourg brothers and the refined elegance of the era.
