The artwork titled “Robert the Pious Files an Antiphon” was created by the artist Jean Fouquet between 1455 and 1460. It is a part of the Northern Renaissance art movement and belongs to the history painting genre. The piece forms part of the series “Grandes Chroniques de France” and is held at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris, France.
In the artwork, Jean Fouquet captures a scene suffused with historical significance, presenting an elegantly dressed Robert the Pious, who was King of France, engaged in a ceremonial task of filing an antiphon. The depiction features an intricately adorned interior space dominated by a golden, canopied altar in which the king is seated, flanked by attendants wearing vividly colored robes. Adjacent to this indoor scene lies an exterior portrayal of a grand castle with numerous spires, surrounded by a moat and a contingent of archers, highlighting the juxtaposition of sacred duty and secular defense. This meticulous blend of religious and courtly elements is rendered with rich, deep hues and fine detailing emblematic of the Northern Renaissance style.
