The Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis was the burial church for the rulers of France and their families. This elegant image once formed a part of the tomb effigy of the princess Marie de France (1326–1341) and her sister Blanche de France (1328–1393), daughters of Charles IV (1294–1328) and Jeanne d’Evreux (before 1313–1371). Although Marie died young, her effigy was not carved until about 1381 by the court sculptor Jean de Liège. Many of the tombs in the abbey were vandalized in the wake of the French Revolution. Originally the head rested upon a stone pillow, and the princess wore a metal crown. Her braided hair is arranged in the courtly fashion contemporary with the carving of the bust.
#3065. Tomb Effigy Bust of Marie de France (1327-41), daughter of Charles IV of France and Jeanne d'Evreux
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Title:Tomb Effigy Bust of Marie de France (1327-41), daughter of Charles IV of France and Jeanne d'Evreux
Artist:Jean de Liège (Franco-Netherlandish, active ca. 1361–died 1381)
Date:ca. 1381
Geography:Made in Île de France
Culture:French
Medium:Marble with lead inlays
Dimensions:Overall (without base): 12 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 6 3/16 in. (31.1 x 32.4 x 15.7 cm)
Classification:Sculpture-Stone
Credit Line:Gift of George Blumenthal, 1941
Object Number:41.100.132
From the chapel of Notre-Dame-la-Blanche, Royal Abbey of Saint Denis near Paris; Possibly Musée des Monuments Français, Paris (before 1793-1816?); Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis, Paris (from 1816?); Dufay, Paris (by 1900); George and Florence Blumenthal, Paris and New York (1920-1941)
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