Artworks

This codex is a newly discovered royal, historical monument of prime importance not only to Poitiers but to all of France. The splendidly decorated manuscript of the Life of St. Radegund containing 11 large miniatures was created following the special request of King Charles VIII. The single arms of Brittany added to the final miniature suggest that the Queen took the manuscript with her to Brittany when she left the court. The heraldic devices, emblems, and the striking golden fleurs-de-lis on lavish blue ground, leave no doubt about the royal owners of this manuscript.

The text of this astonishing manuscript is probably the work of a young Jean Bouchet. The poems in French are devoted to the prince regnant and to the city of Poitiers. In this personal document, the poet also expresses the wish that the Queen may give birth to a beau dauphin. The royal couple’s son Charles Orland had died aged three from measles in 1495, and his younger brother Charles died in 1496 after one month. It is likely that the author’s wish reflects these recent terrible losses that nearly robbed Anne of her sanity. When the King of France died unexpectedly after an accident on 7 April 1498, he died without direct heir.

It is not just the fascinating text and impressive Royal provenance that is important, it is also the fine artistic quality of the miniatures. The manuscript at hand encompasses 11 grand decorated leaves; 10 contain fine almost full-page arch-topped miniatures surrounded by intricate borders inhabited by fantastical creatures, birds, and insects. The borders often feature intricate geometric shapes with contrasting elements, capturing the eye and interest of the reader. The miniatures themselves possess a concentrated narrative quality, as they often portray multiple scenes within their limited space. The resplendent and plentiful fleur-de-lis and the opulent colours of the House of Valois found on every page, act as a striking visual reminder of the royal couple and its noble lineage.  

St. Radegund (518-587) was the daughter of the prince of Thuringia. When the Franks invaded her country, the young princess was taken prisoner. Even though the girl had wished to lead a pure life devoted to God, Radegund consented to wed the despotic Clothaire “for the sake of France”. During her years as queen, she devoted herself to the poor and to France. Years later, when the king murdered her younger brother, she fled from the court and took refuge with Médard, Bishop of Noyon, who ordained her a deaconess. She then founded a convent outside Poitiers, where she spent the remaining years of her life in prayer, study, and works of charity.

The scenes of the Life of St. Radegund were illuminated by a Poitevin miniaturist, now dubbed the Master of Radegund, after the manuscript at hand. The style of the artist is characterised by his expressive compositions and original use of space and dimension. Much attention is given to pose and expression of individual figures. While faces are created with an economy of line in simple contour, they still convey a wider range of human emotion. The artist employed a lively palette with intense and bright hues, utilising contrasting colours, with azure, browns, rose, lilac, and lavish application of gold to create this highly personalised masterpiece.

Read more about this manuscript in our Spotlight on costumes, in our Spotlight on virtue, and in our Spotlight on royal books, and in our Spotlight on Radegund.

See also the Epistres d'Ovide, which also pictures Anne of Brittany.