The Roman de la Rose by Jean Semont

The Roman de la Rose (or the Romance of the Rose) is perhaps the greatest love story in French literature. It is a poem written in Old French around 1230 initially by Guillaume de Lorris. In an anonymous age before artists signed their works, it is always remarkable to know the name of a painter—to be able to tell their story.  Such is the case with this manuscript of the Rose.  It was illuminated by Jean Semont, the first manuscript painter documented by name in the artistic center that produced some of the most important early Flemish panel paintings.