Two Bakers at Work
Manuscript illumination, likely on vellum or parchment • Flemish or French school; possibly Workshop of the Master of Mary of Burgundy or similar school of illuminators
Style & Movement
International Gothic / Early Northern Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Gouache, pigment, and tempera with ink line work; employs flat color planes, simple modeling, and characteristic Northern European drafting
Creation Period
Late 15th Century (c. 1470-1500)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 8 cm (miniature); Portrait format within a codex
Subject Description
A genre scene depicting two male bakers in a commercial kitchen; one man uses a wooden peel to place bread into a vaulted stone oven while the other assists, holding a rounded dough loaf. The scene highlights medieval daily life and labor guilds.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; retains vibrant pigment saturation with minor surface abrasions and typical aging of the organic support
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 (if sold as a single excised leaf)
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $18,000
Provenance History
Likely originated from a Book of Hours or a 'Tacuinum Sanitatis' (Health Manual); part of a secular or devotional manuscript commission for an aristocratic library
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of late medieval genre painting, reflecting the shift toward depicting secular daily activities and specialized professions alongside religious themes.
Notable Features
Detailed depiction of 15th-century costume (tunics and chaperons) and authentic period kitchen technology including the tiered oven andiron-style oven structure.
Condition Issues
Slight darkening of pigments due to oxidation, minor flaking of white lead highlights, and softening of the vellum edges
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a UV-protected, climate-controlled environment with stable humidity; archival mounting using acid-free hinges to prevent parchment warping