Jean Fouquet and his Time

1947

Brasch ND553 F6 WG47

[Basle, Switzerland]: Pleiades Books,

The artist, Jean Fouquet (c. 1420-80) was extant at a time of great upheaval in France. The One Hundred Years’ War with England was coming to an end and ‘the people of France were ready for a fresh start, for new ideas and a new outlook’ – in artistic terms this meant stronger colours and more clearcut lines. Fouquet studied in Italy and upon his return to France, he became the court painter. Renowned for his skill as an illuminator of manuscripts and a portrait painter, Fouquet’s most famous painting is on two panels – the Melun Diptych (1452), one half of which adorns the cover of this book. It depicts King Charles VII’s treasurer, Etienne Chevalier, kneeling in prayer beside his patron saint, Stephen.