The Bedford Master

The Bedford Master is the conventional name assigned to an anonymous illuminator active in Paris around 1415. This workshop or individual is central to the study of French manuscript production during the early 15th century.

The primary artistic focus of The Bedford Master was the illumination of liturgical and devotional texts, predominantly Books of Hours. Documentary evidence indicates that twelve books associated with this master are represented in museum collections globally.

Significant examples of the Master’s output are held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. These include several illuminated folios from a Book of Hours (Use of Paris). The technical skill and narrative detail characteristic of the Master’s style are evident in specific illuminations such as The Pentecost and the dramatic scene Angel and Devil Fighting over a Soul. Further folios, including Initial D with Decorated Border and Multiple Initials with Decorated Border, showcase the Master’s facility with marginal decoration and detailed script enhancement.

The artistry attributed to The Bedford Master prints provides key insights into late Gothic iconography and patronage. As historical artifacts, many images derived from the original manuscripts are now available in the public domain, often distributed as high-quality prints for scholarly research and collector viewing.