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The Virgin of Jeanne d'Evreux, is a Gothic sculpture created sometime between the years 1324 and 1339. This figure stands at 68 cm tall and is made from gilded silver, stones, pearls, and the earliest dated French translucent enamels. The piece itself was donated to the abbey of Saint-Denis by Jeanne d'Evreux in 1339 as inscribed in the pedestal. Currently, this magnificent sculpture is now found on display within the Louvre Museum in France.
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Jeanne d'Évreux was born in 1310 in the town of Évreux, France. Her parents were Count Louis of Évreux and Marquerite d'Artois and also was the great-granddaughter of King Louis the IX who ruled in France in 1226 until his death. She married to Charles IV on July 5, 1324 who was the son of Philip IV and Queen Jeanne de Navarre. The time she spent with her husband was relatively short and became widowed only after 4 years of marriage. However, during this time, King Charles commissioned the beautiful manuscript known as The Book of Hours of Jeanne d'Évreux as a gift to his wife. During the time of their marriage, Jeanne never bore any male heir.
Historical Context
In the 13th century, the Gothic style of art began to emerge and spread throughout all of Europe. This style strayed from Romanesque art and focused on the realism and naturalism. Proportions as well as reality were very important in these pieces of art. Sculptures were made to represent real human emotions and gestures which brought back some of the Classical techniques of art that were lost for so long.
Many of the sculptures created in this time period could be placed within a home, or were donations for churches and abbeys. Sculptures of the Virgin Mary alone or with Christ as a child were quite popular these days. Mystic animals such as the gargoyles were also found on many different buildings which would scare off any evil ghosts or spirits. Sculptures were mostly found on the exteriors of buildings as well as the interiors. During this time period, more and more of these works of art were created free-standing rather than just attached to a wall or column.
Architecture throughout the Gothic ages began with the construction of various cathedrals including ones the abbey church of Saint-Denis which not only was highly decorated with wondrous statues, but was also the resting place of their kings. The churches in these times were made larger by introducing the ribbed vaults. These ribbed vaults enlarged the clerestory and windows while allowing them to bear more weight from the building with the help of buttresses. Overall, these ribbed vaults helped to expand the space, making the Gothic churches larger.
The artist who commissioned The Virgin and Child of Jeanne d'Évreux is Jean Pucelle. The piece itself seems to have been intended for Jeanne d'Évreux just as The Book of Hours of Jeanne d'Évreux which was given to her by her husband. As used in earlier history, these works of art were typically meant for the masses of people and for those who were illiterate so that they can be educated about the biblical ways.
The Virgin and Child
The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ as a baby in her arms. The pose fashioned here uses the Byzantine ”virgin of tenderness” iconography which is the Mary holding Jesus as a baby in her arms. The Virgin and the Child of Jeanne d'Évreux was created in within the Gothic time period in Europe, where images of the Virgin Mary began to display how she is the affectionate and loving mother of Christ. Instead of being the throne of Christ, she instead is now seen playing with or holding her son. Art pieces during this time were more human-like which brought back the classical style of Christian art in a lot of these works. Mary's facial expressions are very compassionate and loving with Christ gently touching his mother's face. It is apparent that the gestures of Christ and Mary as well as the robes she is wearing are human and naturalistic which are typical characteristics of art in these times.
The base of the sculpture has 3 separate buttresses separating different scenes of Christ as a teacher and the Passion of Christ with his crucifixion. These scenes are drawn on a dark blue background with colours of emerald green, yellow and red on gilded silver with the figures painted in a golden colour. The base is supported at the bottom by four miniature lions bearing the weight of the sculpture. In the right hand of the Virgin Mary, she is holding a sceptre with the fleur-de-lis with precious stones decorating it. The symbol of the fleur-de-lis is often used to represent the French monarchy. In a more religious context, the fleur-de-lis is often associated with the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) or the Virgin Mary because it can also represent pureness and chastity. The use of the symbol on sceptres establishes that the figure is Saint-like or holy.
Similar works of art would include pieces such as The Virgin of Paris — a late Gothic sculpture that dates in the early 14th century. This statue is found in a similar posture as The Virgin and Child but the clothing is somewhat different. Mary is dressed in a gown, holding a sceptre in the right hand and is also wearing a crown which represents her as the queen of Heaven. Christ is no longer touching the face of his mother but is holding onto a piece of her clothing as well as a round ball. This sphere represents the Earth and how Christ is its ruler. This piece was commissioned for the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.
Other similar pieces include the Byzantine styled icon known as the Mother of God of Tenderness (Virgin of Tenderness), and the Mother of God of Vladimir. Both of these pieces are icons of the Virgin Mary holding Christ as a child with their cheeks touching as they embrace.