Illustrating Tristan: Vérard and His Artists, c. 1496

The renowned Parisian libraire Anthoine Vérard published more than 330 editions between 1485 and 1512. Among the most celebrated are the chivalric romances—Lancelot, Gyron le Courtois, and others—which were printed as large in-folio volumes, illustrated with full-page woodcuts. Vérard established his reputation primarily on the deluxe copies, printed on vellum, painted by the best artists of the day, and destined for his wealthy clients and patrons. Four such volumes are known of his second edition of Tristan, published c. 1496. All contain not only seven large woodcuts but also an astounding 180 small miniatures, painted in place of the printed chapter headings, which were erased and then written by hand in the margin. Vérard employed different artists to paint these copies; and by comparing their illustrations, one can examine how each interpreted the text while developing stylistic features that would attract purchasers or patrons, perhaps at Vérard’s command.