Les sources iconographiques des peintures à sujet médiéval du musée de l’Histoire de France de Versailles

Abstract

In an attempt to revive the medieval past of France with their work for the Musée de l’Histoire de France, the painters commissioned by Louis-Philippe drew inspiration from a variety of different sources. The most evident are the Gaignières collection, Montfaucon’s Les Monumens de la Monarchie Françoise, and the research conducted by Alexandre Lenoir for his Musée des Monuments Français. These sources allowed them to provide a historical foundation for the events represented in their paintings. However, as they were pressed for time, they also had to copy less well-documented works or rush through their research; this is particularly striking in the heraldry representations. Finally, the sources they chose were clearly selected with eloquence in mind. As the Louis-Philippe museum had educational aims, scenes had to be understandable and legible. Ultimately, this is why the painters did not hesitate to draw on commonplaces or renowned compositions.

Keywords

• iconography
• Musée de l’Histoire de France
• Middle Ages
• heraldry
• Louis-Philippe
• Alexandre Lenoir