Charles the Bold

Previous Next

Exhibition poster The picture of Charles the Bold featureed on the exhibition poster is taken from an illuminated manuscript. (Bibliothèque royale de Belgique)

Votive crown from Aachen Cathedral, c 1474 Margaret of York, Charles' third wife, donated this gold crown to the miracle-working image of the Virgin in Aachen cathedral. (Aachen, Cathedral Treasury)

Horse armour of Frederick III, 1477 Emperor Frederick III had this horse armour made for the war between Burgundy, the Swiss and Lorraine. (Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum,Collection of Arms and Armour)

Prayer book of Charles the Bold, 1469/1471. The small manuscript prayer book made for Charles' personal use is lavishily illustrated in gold. (Los Angeles, J.Paul Getty Museum / facsimile by the Faksimile Verlag, Lucerne)

Dedicatory picture from French translation of Xenophon's "Hiero" The picture shows the translator presenting his work to Charles. Charles had classical texts translated and read aloud to him. (Brussels, Bibliothèque royale de Belgique)

"Thousand flower" tapestry, Brussels, c, 1466 The Burgundian arms, and chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece from the "Thousand flower" tapestry. Part of the Burgundian booty, in Bern since 1476. (Bern Historical Museum)

Cope, part of the booty from Murten, 2nd half of the 15th century Cope with Burgundian and other arms (Museé d'Art et d'Histoire, Fribourg, permanent loan in the Chateau de Gruyères Foundation / ©Abegg-Stiftung, 2005, Christoph von Viràg)

Hans Memling (c. 1440-1494), Triptych of Willem Moreel Hans Memling's altar piece was commissioned for the Church of St Jacob in Bruges by merchant Willem Moreel, who is portrayed with his family on the wings. (Bruges, Groeningemuseum)

Hans Memling (c. 1440-1494), Triptych of Willem Moreel Detail of Hans Memling's triptych, showing the daughters of donor Willem Moreel (Bruges, Groeningemuseum)

Votive image of Charles the Bold with St George, 1467–1471 Charles presented this golden reliquary to the city of Liège, which he had devastated in 1468. It shows himself and his patron saint, St George. (Trésor de la Cathédrale, Liège)

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8
• Picture 9
• Picture 10

Burgundy was a major centre of European culture in the 15th century.

Treasures of Burgundian art have been brought together for an exhibition on Charles the Bold at Bern’s Historical Museum.