The artwork, “Hugh Capet seized the fortresses of Artois,” created by Jean Fouquet between 1455 and 1460, is a historical painting from the Northern Renaissance movement. This piece is part of the “Grandes Chroniques de France” series and is currently housed in the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts a scene with Hugh Capet, accompanied by his retainers, seizing a fortress. A collection of fortresses is observable in the distant background, indicating the strategic military significance of the action. In the foreground, Hugh Capet, distinguished by his golden crown, gestures towards a figure inside the fortress who is handing over a set of keys, symbolizing the transfer of control. The composition is enriched with vibrant colors and fine details typical of the Northern Renaissance, illustrating a pivotal moment in French history. The right side of the artwork portrays a group of people inside a gothic architectural structure, presumably marking the ecclesiastical or courtly aspects of this historical event.
