Limoges enamels, named after the town in which they were produced, are one of the most distinctive art forms of the French Renaissance. This stunning volume-the first catalogue of Henry Clay Frick's important collection of Limoges enamels-reflects the jewel-like character of these exquisite objects. It shows the broad range of applications to which this brilliant but delicate medium was applied in 15th-, 16th- and early 17th-century France: from secular objects, such as portraits, caskets and tableware, to objects of religious association, such as devotional triptychs.
There are major examples of works by some of the leading masters of the art, including Jean I and Nardon Pénicaud, Léonard Limousin, Pierre Reymond and the Master of the Large Foreheads. In addition to full-page images of 43 key pieces from this collection-each accompanied by a brief commentary and illustrated with exceptional new photography-the volume includes an illustrated essay by Ian Wardropper on the wider artistic significance, stylistic qualities and consummate craftsmanship of the collection, its history and re-display at The Frick, together with an illustrated glossary of terms by The Frick's associate conservator Julia Day.