Blanche of Castile and King Louis IX of France; Author Dictating to a Scribe, Moralized Bible,

This Parisian book is from the time of St. Louis. It is a three-volume Moralized Bible that dates back between 1226-1234. These bibles were made for the French Royal house and were greatly illustrated with pages from the New and Old testaments. In the book was selected scriptural passages that were paired with allegorical or moralized interpretations that used both pictures and words.

This particular image was the dedication page of the book. The top image shows the teenage King Louis IX and his mother, Queen Blanche of Castile, who served as regent of France. Although, this was only temporary until Louis IX became of age to later rule. The image is showing the newly crowned King after being crowned by his mother Queen Blanche .

The Royal pair is emphasized by their elaborate thrones and slightly oversized  head, making their frontal positions stylized but not realistic. Both are wearing the traditional medieval open crown top. It symbolizing a French monarch’s religious, political, and dynastic right to rule. A slender green column divides the queen’s space from that of her son.

Behind them is a solid gold background under a multicolored architectural framework. Both the King and Queen are seated beneath a trefoil arch, which means three tiered arches. Behind them are also colorful buildings that are said to represent the urban city of Paris. This was the capital city of the capetian kingdom. Capetians were one of the oldest royal families.

Below, in the lower register is clerical scholar who sits on the left. On the right side sits a scribe, who looks to be dictated by the scholar.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK …… 

Louis IX is wearing a trefoiled open crown atop his head. He returns his mother’s glance, while holding in his right hand a scepter, indicating his kingly status. A four-pedaled brooch, with a large square of sapphire blue in the center, holds a pink mantle lined with green that rests on his shoulders.

In his left hand, between his forefinger and thumb, Louis holds a small golden ball or disc. During the mass that followed coronations, French kings and queens would traditionally give the presiding bishop of Reims 13 gold coins. All French kings were crowned in this northern French cathedral town.

Here the cleric sits, wearing a sleeveless cloak which is common for his divine services as an educated man. He tilts his head forward and points his right forefinger at the artist across from him, as though giving instructions. No clues are given as to what he is saying. It is said that he probably represents the Parisian theologians responsible for the manuscript’s visual and literary content.

The scribe is wearing a blue surcoat, a cap, and is seated on a bench. He has a knife in his left hand and a stylist in right. Taking a closer look, he has created four circles that are stacked into a column. They represent the medallions of the church and a page in this very same manuscript as seen below.

Masons at Work Painting, 12th-13th century, France

 

This painting exhibits masons, which are stone workers, who were rebuilding the cathedral after it burnt down in 1194.  It is a huge emphasize on the actual work they were enduring. Such as scaffolding, platforms at different heights, and the lifting pulleys.

The most significant part was the masons carefully measuring and cutting the stones. They often signed their work with “Mason marks” which are personalized symbolizes that were carved into the stone. This can be seen in the image below.

This piece was significant because architecture was the most important and original art form during the Gothic period. Gothic architecture arose out of medieval masons’ themselves. They wanted to solve the problems associated with supporting heavy masonry ceiling vaults over wide spans, thus explaining the lifting pulley and platforms at different heights.