This illustration is in striking contrast to the January Très Riches Heures which showed a colourful gathering of aristocrats feasting in opulent surroundings. Here we see peasants tackling the daily grinding chores of winter. In the background nestling below a leaden grey sky is a snow covered village. Two men can be seen - one chopping wood, and the other delivering it to the village strapped to a donkey. Some lovely details showing a snow covered haystack, a dovecote, and four bee-skeps? Looking very similar to mine. In the foreground a sheep pen, the sheep huddled together for warmth, and a group of Magpies, pecking seeds. A cut away image of a peasant's home shows two men and a women endeavouring to warm themselves in front of the fire. The women modestly averts her eyes as she lifts her dress, whilst the two peasant men show no such inhibitions and reveal all! A further peasant wrapped in a shawl rushes quickly from the cold towards the house.
The February blue lunette shows the zodiac sign for Aquarius and Pisces. In the centre the chariot of the sun continues it's yearly cycle through the heavens.
This is the penultimate post showing Les Très Riches Heures.
This is the penultimate post showing Les Très Riches Heures.
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P.S
During the middle ages male peasants wore an undergarment called braies. Generally they wore a tunic over the top but during the hot summer weather nothing else. Braies were closed with a drawstring at the waist as per image.
Month of March here.
Month of March here.
