A detailed facsimile of the May page from the Tres Riches Heures, depicting a courtly May Day procession in the International Gothic style.

This image is a facsimile of the May page from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, a manuscript commissioned by Jean, Duke of Berry. The Limbourg brothers, Herman, Paul, and Jean, produced this work during the early fifteenth century. It represents the International Gothic style, characterised by its attention to courtly fashion, decorative detail, and the use of expensive pigments such as ultramarine.

The scene depicts a May Day procession, a tradition where nobility would ride into the woods to gather branches and flowers. The figures are dressed in elaborate garments, reflecting the high status of the court. The horses are adorned with trappings, and the riders wear garlands of greenery. In the background, the town of Riom is visible, rendered with a degree of architectural specificity that was unusual for the period. Above the scene, a semi-circular lunette displays the astrological signs associated with the month, framed by a golden sun and a starry sky.

The composition is organised in distinct registers. The lower portion focuses on the human activity of the procession, while the upper portion provides a celestial context. The use of colour is precise, with the deep blues of the sky contrasting against the green foliage and the varied hues of the riders' clothing. This work provides a window into the social customs and artistic preferences of the French aristocracy during the late Middle Ages. The manuscript remains one of the most significant examples of book illumination, demonstrating the technical skill of the brothers before their untimely deaths in 1416.