 Of the several portions of the book, that kept in Turin was destroyed in a fire in 1904, though black-and-white photographs exist.Work on the manuscript began around 1380 or 1390, and over the course of almost sixty years involved a variety of artists, assistants and patrons during perhaps seven separate campaigns of work.Its conception and first leaves were commissioned by a high-ranking member of the French court whose identity is now lost, and involved mainly French artists.