BOURDICHON, JEAN

(1457-1521)

   French illuminator who studied under Jean Fouquet and who worked for Louis XI of France, his wife Charlotte of Savoy, Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Louis' wife Anne of Brittany. Bourdichon, in fact, is best known for Anne's book of hours (1500-1507; Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Ms. lat. 9474), which he illuminated with 51 scenes. His style is characterized by the use of rounded forms, detailed depictions of draperies, large areas of pure color, and emphasis on clarity. His goal was to emulate panel painting on parchment surfaces rather than follow the Northern medievalist tradition.