Cimabue at the Louvre

A few days ago I posted about the restoration of Cimabue’s Maesta in advance of a major exhibition, which opens today, about the thirteenth century artist and his importance in the development of Italian and European art.

France 24 has two articles about the exhibition which concentrate on the recent discovery and identification of another work by Cimabue. It was found in 2019 when it was hanging, unregarded on the kitchen wall of a house in Compiegne, and potentially about to be thrown out as rubbish. Spotted as being of possible interest, it was identified and sold to a foreign buyer for €24 million and then, to prevent its export, acquired by the Louvre, I don’t think you would risk that as a plot in a novel these days. Now restored, the painting, The Mocking of Christ, is one of three panels known to survive from an eight part diptych, and is one of the highlights of the new exhibition.

The articles discuss its history, such as it can be recovered, its significance in the history of art, and shows it before and after cleaning, at From kitchen wall to the Louvre: Cimabue show sheds new light on ‘father of Western painting’ and at Long-lost masterpiece ‘the Holy Grail’ for curators and collectors alike

Emperor Charles IV - 700th anniversary

The online site from Denmark Medieval Histories is always well worth receiving - I would recommend readers to sign up to this free service - and their latest edition is truly splendid being devoted almost entirely to articles about the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the 700th anniversary of whose birth falls this year. These give remarkable insights, accompanied by splendid illustrations, into the life and times of the Emperor. I have copied and pasted their entry page, which has some other articles of interest at the end.

MEDIEVAL NEWS 02.09.2016

Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, lived from 1316 – 1478. All year, Czechia have celebrated their national hero culminating this weekend with a scientifically based recreation of his coronation in 1347. Read all about this event, the exhibitions in both Prague and Nuremberg (coming-up), the many portraits of him, his autobiography, his spectacular crowns and much more. If you miss an angle – don’t despair. There will be a follow-up!

Invitation to the Coronation of Charles IV 2016 The re-enactment of the Coronation of Charles IV in Prague is a recurrent event. This year, it will be a faithful, scientifically based recreation Read more.

Charles IV – 1316 - 2016 This year Prag and Nuremberg celebrates the birth of Charles IV (1316 – 1378) with two major exhibitions and a number of other events. Read more.

Charles IV – Adventurer or National hero? In 2005 the Czech cast their vote as to who was the greatest Czech hero. Curiously enough a medieval king, Charles IV, came out on top by 68.713 votes.   Read more.

Charles IV – Boisterous Youth and Crippled King Charles IV was known as an agile youth with a penchant for taking part in tournaments. However, in 1350 he was severely crippled Read more.

Charles IV and His Autobiography The Vita Caroli Quarti of Charles IV (1316 – 1378) is one of the earliest royal autobiographies written. A new edition celebrates the 700-year anniversary Read more.

The Curious Mind of Charles IV Charles IV was an extremely sensual person possessing a creative and curious mind. A vast number of sources witness to this remarkable leader Read more.

The Portraits of Charles IV of Bohemia Charles IV belongs to a group of 14th century rulers who commissioned artists to render them as personally recognizable individuals when acting as kings   Read more.

Crowns of Charles IV of Bohemia Charles IV was obsessed with organising impressive medieval spectacles. One of the important props were his crowns, of which we know several. Read more.

Prague – Centre Stage for Charles IV Charles IV was a king obsessed with organising feasts and processions of all sorts. His rebuilding of Prague is a witness to this. Read more.

Medieval Travels....

The Castle of Karlštejn Karlstejn is a remarkable witness to the creative energy of Charles IV, king of Bohema and Holy Roman Emperor 1316 - 1378 Read more.

Karlštejn Castle and its Treasure The Karlštejn Treasure is a collection of around 400 objects dating back to the 14th century, when Charles IV commissioned the building of the Castle. Read more.

The Castle in Lauf -  Wenzelschloss – The Castle in Lauf – also known as the Wenzelschloss – was constructed by Charles IV in 1356 on the road between Prague and Nuremberg. Read more.

Medieval Exhibitions...

Medieval Louvre To all medievalists: skip queuing for Mona Lisa and visit the newly opened parts of Louvre where its medieval history is told Read more.

Triptych of Jan Crabbe Hans Memling's Triptych of Jan Crabbe is reunited in Landmark Exhibition at the Morgan in the autumn Read more.

New Research....

Tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent in Szigetvár When Suleiman the Magnificent died in Szigetvár his heart and entrails were buried there. His newly discovered mausoleum is hoped to be a new tourism magnet    Read more.

October

Image: Wikipedia

This calendar page in the Très Riches Heures of John Duke of Berry is attributed to Paul Limbourg, with possible additions by Jean Colombe in the 1480s

The scene in the foreground is winter sowing and harrowing, with crows and magpies eating some of the seeds. The harrow is shown as horse drawn rather than by oxen. Beyond there is an archer in the middle ground with pollarded willows on the river bank. Meanwhile in the background people walk by the Seine, across which small boats ply. Once again this is a tranquil, reassuring scene of agricultural harmony. This is an idealised view as the building which dominates the scene is the palace of the Louvre, then at the western end of Paris, but the foreground would have been built up as it would be part of the Ile de la Cite or the left bank of the Seine.

The Louvre was originally built by King Philip II (1180-1223)  - the impressive foundations of his fortress are once again visible in the basement of the museum complex - but the Louvre as depicted was the result of its  remodelling as a residence by Duke John's elder brother, King Charles V, after his accession to the throne in 1364. As at Saumur in last month's illustration the palace fortress is decorated with elaborate finials and the chimneys point to domestic comfort inside the royal residence.

October 1415 was to see the English army make its doubtless in many ways weary way north-eastwards on the route towards Calais, with King Henry V seeking, it would appear, to avoid engagement with the French. That was not to be and the road to Calais was the road to the battle of Agincourt.... 

October

Image: Wikipedia

This calendar page in the Très Riches Heures of John Duke of Berry is attributed to Paul Limbourg, with possible additions by Jean Colombe in the 1480s

The scene in the foreground is winter sowing and harrowing, with crows and magpies eating some of the seeds. The harrow is shown as horse drawn rather than by oxen. Beyond there is an archery in the middle ground with pollarded willows on the river bank. Meanwhile in the background people walk by the Seine, across which small boats ply. Once again this is a tranquil, reassuring scene of agricultural harmony. This is an idealised view as the building which dominates the scene is the palace of the Louvre, then at the western end of Paris, but the foreground would have been built up as it would be part of the Ile de la Cite or the left bank of the Seine.

The Louvre was originally built by King Philip II (1180-1223)  - the impressive foundations of his fortress are once again visible in the basement of the museum complex - but the Louvre as depicted was the result of its  remodelling as a residence by Duke John's elder brother, King Charles V, after his accession to the throne in 1364. As at Saumur in last month's illustration the palace fortress is decorated with elaborate finials and the chimneys point to domestic comfort inside the royal residence.

Monastic treasures on display at the Louvre

Last week Gregory DiPippo had a post on the New Liturgical Movement about a current exhibition at the Louvre of treasures from the Abbey of St Maurice in Canton Valais in Switzerland. The abbey is on the site of the martyrdom of St Maurice and the Theban Legion.

The items have not been on display outside the abbey previously, and, judging from those pictured in his post, are very fine indeed and precious survivals. Once again we get a fleeting glimpse of the artistic achievements of past centuries and some idea of what once existed but which in so many cases has been destroyed. The abbey of St Maurice has been fortunate to preserve such items. The post, with its pictures, can be seen at Treasures of the Abbey of St. Maurice at the Louvre.

October

Image: Wikipedia

This calendar page in the Très Riches Heures of John Duke of Berry is attributed to Paul Limbourg with possible additions by Jean Colombe in the 1480s

The scene in the foreground is winter sowing and harrowing, with crows and magpies eating some of the seeds. The harrow is horse drawn rather than by oxen. Beyond there is an archery in the middle ground with pollarded willows on the river bank. Meanwhile in the background people walk by the Seine, across which small boats ply. Once again this is a tranquil, reassuring scene of agricultural harmony. This is an idealised view as the building which dominates the scene is the palace of the Louvre, then at the western end of Paris, but the foreground would have been built up as it would be part of the Ile de la Cite.

The Louvre was originally built by King Philip II (1180-1223)  - the impressive foundations of his fortress are once again visible in the basement of the museum complex - but the Louvre as depicted was the result of its  remodelling as a residence by Duke John's elder brother, King Charles V, after his accession to the throne in 1364. As at Saumur in last month's illustration the palace fortress is decorated with elaborate finials and the chimneys point to domestic comfort inside the royal residence.