Etienne Chevalier with St. Stephen
Jean Fouquetaround 1454
Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Berlin, Germany
This panel was originally the left-hand half of a diptych in the cathedral of Notre Dame de Melun, placed over the tomb of the founder's wife. The corresponding right-hand wing with a depiction of the Madonna is now in Antwerp. The founder, Étienne Chevalier (d. 1474), is kneeling in the foreground, accompanied by his patron saint, St. Stephen. The sharp-edged stone on the book in his hand refers to the stoning by which the martyr met his death. Étienne Chevalier was ambassador and chancellor under Charles VII and Louis XI of France and was entrusted with numerous diplomatic missions. In 1463, he was sent to Lille to redeem the cities on the Somme from fiefdom to Burgundy.
- Title: Etienne Chevalier with St. Stephen
- Creator: Jean Fouquet
- Date Created: around 1454
- Physical Dimensions: w85.0 x h93.0 cm
- Type: Painting
- External Link: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
- Medium: Oil on aak wood
- Style: Franco-flemish
- Copyright Text: Text: © http://www.prestel.com, Prestel Verlag / Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Rainald Grosshans // Photo: © http://www.bpk-images.de, b p k - Photo Agency / Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Jörg P. Anders
- Collection: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
- Artist information: Jean Fouquet was a prominent painter of the 15th century, valued for his panel painting and illuminated manuscripts. He is also celebrated as the pioneer of the art of portrait miniature. Importantly, he was the first artist to undertake a journey to Italy, in 1437, and experienced the early Italian Renaissance at first hand. In Italy he got to know several Renaissance artists, such as Fra Angelico and Filarete, whose influence are evident in his works after this period. During his stay he executed a portrait of Pope Eugene IV. Later in life, he became the court painter to Louis XI of France. His style is characterized by both the early Italian Renaissance and early Netherlandish realism, combined creatively with the French painting tradition. 'The Melun Diptych' (ca. 1450) and his self-portrait (1450) rank among the most important works of this French artist.
- Artist Place of Death: Tours, France
- Artist Place of Birth: Tours, France
- Artist Gender: male
- Artist Dates: 1478-81
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