The artwork titled “De Profundis,” created by the Limbourg brothers, forms part of the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry and is a prime example of the International Gothic art movement. This piece is classified under the illustration genre.
In “De Profundis,” the artwork showcases an elaborately illuminated manuscript page. The composition is divided between text and a richly colored miniature painting. The left side of the artwork features meticulously inscribed Gothic script with ornate initials and decorative borders in vivid colors, indicating the religious or liturgical context of the manuscript. The right side of the page presents a miniature illustration: a scene set against a beautifully rendered landscape with a deep blue sky, depicting figures engaged in what appears to be a moment of prayer or supplication. One figure, perhaps a royal or noble, is kneeling before a structural element, possibly an altar, while attendants or other onlookers stand nearby. The attention to detail, the use of vibrant colors, and the intricate design elements are characteristic of the Limbourg brothers’ style and the International Gothic movement.
