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Jean de Berry commissioned six books of hours between 1375 and 1416. The first, the Petites Heures, contains 182 miniatures. Work started c. 1375 but was interrupted in 1380 and the book was not completed until 1385–90. It is now housed at the Bibliothèque nationale de France under the reference ms. lat. 18014.The limner Jean Le Noir, a pupil of Jean Pucelle, started work on the illuminations. By the time of his death in 1380, only nine miniatures had been completed. In 1384 the duke engaged Jacquemart de Hesdin; completion of the book was left to him and an assistant known as the Master of the Trinity, and to another artist known as Pseudo-Jacquemart, who painted in some of the underdrawings left by Jean le Noir, as well as contributing his own compositions. Four small miniatures have been attributed to the one whom Meiss designates as the "Fifth Master". A single page by the Limbourg brothers, the Duke of Berry Setting off on a Trip, was added to the manuscript around 1412.
American art historian Millard Meiss distinguishes five separate contributors to the work and identifies Le Noir with "the Passion Master", an anonymous illuminator so-called because he illustrated the Passion. His characteristics have been described as "rather cool, dusty colours" and a "delightful, often humorous depiction of animals", also rocky scenery and agitated figures with expression. Jacquemart de Hesdin worked on the Hours of the Virgin. Characteristics are a representation of space influenced by Italian painting and a "more realistic rendering of reality" based on collaboration with Jan Boudolf of Bruges. The styles of Jacquemart de Hesdin and Pseudo-Jacquemart are very similar because they worked together for more than 20 years. The latter has been described as copying the style of others rather than being creative.The duke commissioned the Petites Heures around the same time as his older brother Charles V acquired the Savoy Hours, "one of the grandest books of the period" executed in about 1335–40.  To the Savoy Hours, Charles added a new cover with jeweled clasps, further texts, and copious miniatures by the Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy.  Comparison of the two books reveals that Jean de France modeled the content and structure of the Petites Heures on his brother's manuscript, which had "clearly aroused his competitive spirit, and no doubt, envy."In the Petites Heures Berry pays homage to his parents, Jean the Good and Bonne of Luxembourg, through instructive prayers and texts copied from their respective books.
Jean Le Noir miniature limner Meiss Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy Savoy Hours Jan Boudolf left Jacquemart de Hesdin Limbourg brothers Bonne of Luxembourg Jean Pucelle Passion Charles V Pseudo-Jacquemart Jean the Good Bibliothèque nationale de France Millard Meiss Master of the Trinity