How did the use of light and shade develop in French Gothic manuscript painting?

In French Gothic manuscript painting, the depiction of figures and drapery initially relied primarily on line-based techniques, where details such as faces and hands were described through precise penmanship.1

A significant shift occurred between approximately 1270 and 1280, marking what is often described as a "discovery of light." During this period, artists began to move beyond purely linear representation by modeling drapery and other forms using light and shade to create a sense of volume. This development is particularly associated with the Parisian royal illuminator Master Honoré, who was active around the turn of the 14th century.1

This evolution toward modeling with light and shade continued to develop in the 14th century, notably within the workshop of the Parisian artist Jean Pucelle. Pucelle’s work further integrated these techniques with an emerging awareness of perspective and Italian iconography, reflecting a broader movement in Gothic art toward depicting spatial depth and more naturalistic forms.21