The artwork titled “St. Jacques appears to Charlemagne” was created by Jean Fouquet between 1455 and 1460. It belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and falls under the genre of religious painting. This piece is part of the series “Grandes Chroniques de France” and is currently located at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris, France.
The artwork portrays a religious and historical scene wherein Saint Jacques appears to Charlemagne. Central to the composition is a large blue tent rendered with remarkable detail, which stands amidst a military camp. Beneath the tent, a crowned figure, presumably Charlemagne, is engaged in conversation with a monk who is holding a book. The surrounding landscape is meticulously depicted, complete with a river, fortress, and medieval cathedral in the background. The attentive arrangement of soldiers and the vivid colors exemplify the rich narrative style characteristic of Jean Fouquet’s work within the Northern Renaissance.
