3-044-046 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Leaf from the Hours of Louis XII, 1498/1499. Additional Info: Louis XII Kneeling in Prayer Accompanied by Saint Michael, Saint Charlemagne, Saint Louis, and Saint Denis. This leaf with its stirring portrait of Louis XII would originally have opened a lavish book of hours court artist Jean Bourdichon painted for him. The depiction of the king in his parade armor probably celebrates his recent coronation in 1498 and reflects an official image of the new king. Louis is presented (from left to right) by several royal saints: Saint Michael, the patron saint of the royal chivalric order; Saint Charlemagne, from whom the French kings traced their descent; Saint Louis of France, the king's namesake and his forebear on the throne; and Saint Denis, the patron of the French royal household. The Hours of Louis XII was one of the greatest French manuscripts of its time. Only seventeen of the manuscript's original complement of miniatures have come to light.