Frontispiece Miniature from the Manuscript of a Poem by Guillaume Crétin: Debate Between Two Women

Description

This leaf is one of four surviving miniatures from the only known illuminated manuscript of the poem Débat entre deux dames sur le passetemps des chiens et oyseaux by Guillaume Crétin. The poem takes the form of a debate between two women, represented here, who argue at length as to the relative merits of hunting with falcons versus hunting with dogs. The volume was likely made as a presentation copy or gift for King Francis I (1515-1547). This artist is known to have painted many miniatures for the king as well as for other members of the court during the 1530s.

Provenance

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Frontispiece Miniature from the Manuscript of a Poem by Guillaume Crétin: Debate Between Two Women

Master of Francis I

c. 1537–1540

Accession Number

1991.157

Medium

ink, tempera, and liquid gold on vellum

Dimensions

Sheet: 27.1 x 20.1 cm (10 11/16 x 7 15/16 in.)

Classification

Manuscript

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund