Politics and Craftsmanship in Early Renaissance France: Painted Enamels at Limoges 1480–1510
Details
Date: Saturday 27 April 2024, 13:30-14:30
Venue: Augustine House | AH3.31
Art, Literature & Religion
Dr Anthony Gross
Anthony Gross is the author of The Dissolution of the Lancastrian Kingship a study of political culture during the Wars of the Roses. He is presently working on a book about the relationship between central government and local society during the reigns of Edward II and Edward III. Dr Gross is an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Historical Research in the University of London.
About the event
At the close of the 15th century a luxury industry emerged at Limoges in south-western France, specializing in the production of devotional miniatures painted in glass on a copper base. From the mid-16th century onwards the enamelling workshops of Limoges are quite well recorded. But we have very little information about the earliest masters. Even their names are usually unknown.
My paper will delve into this obscurity. It will focus on two artists in particular, the Master known as ‘Monvaerni’ and the Master of the Louis XII Triptych. During this period the Bishops of Limoges also acted as Archbishops of Barletta and enjoyed close relations with political actors high in the favour of Louis XI and Louis XII. Through these connections it is possible to trace a shadowy connection between court politics and the promotion of these two enamelling workshops.