The Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy (fl. in Paris, c. 1350-1380) is named after the illumination he contributed to a Bible (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, fr. 15397) translated by Jean de Sy. Previously, he had been known as the Boqueteaux Master from the conspicuous umbrella-shaped trees (boqueteaux, in French) that feature in his landscapes. This appellation is, however, misleading as he was not alone in using this motif which had perhaps first been introduced by the Master of the Remède de Fortune (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, fr. 1586). The Jean de Sy Master’s style moves toward a greater naturalism, especially in the representation of nature. Small figures are set into verdant landscapes, often enlivened by animals (innocent bunnies here), garden flowers, plus those characteristic umbrella trees.
