Mary of Burgundy
Panel
ca. 1500 (made)
ca. 1500 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Until 1795, the two-light windows of the Chapel of the Holy Blood in Bruges in Belgium contained images of the Dukes of Burgundy and their consorts (wives). The sequence started with Philippe le Hardi, or Philip the Bold (ruled 1364–1404). The Habsburgs were also shown in the case of Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor from 1493, who married into the Burgundian line. The figures were all identified by coats of arms displayed below them.
The stained glass was removed in 1795 and shortly afterwards sold to a British dealer. Some of it was later installed at Kilburn Grange, a private house in north-west London. This was demolished in 1910. The Museum acquired the present panels (inv. nos C.438 to 439, 441 to 443-1918) in 1918, together with other coats of arms and a late figure of Charles V.
The ducal figures in stained glass now in the Chapel of the Holy Blood were made in the years 1845-7. They were based on watercolours of the originals.
The stained glass was removed in 1795 and shortly afterwards sold to a British dealer. Some of it was later installed at Kilburn Grange, a private house in north-west London. This was demolished in 1910. The Museum acquired the present panels (inv. nos C.438 to 439, 441 to 443-1918) in 1918, together with other coats of arms and a late figure of Charles V.
The ducal figures in stained glass now in the Chapel of the Holy Blood were made in the years 1845-7. They were based on watercolours of the originals.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Mary of Burgundy (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Clear and coloured glass panel with painted details and yellow (silver) stain |
Brief description | Clear and coloured glass panel with painted details and yellow (silver) stain. Depicting Mary of Burgundy; from the Chapel of the Holy Blood, Bruges. Probably made in Bruges in Belgium (Flanders), ca. 1500 |
Physical description | Stained glass panel. Mary of Burgundy, wife of the Emperor Maximilian. In the crook of her right arm she holds a lap dog, with her left hand she raises her skirt. She wears a pointed cap and a veil over her hair, a tight-fitting bodice with bell-mouthed sleeves, and voluminous skirts. The dress is white with a brocaded pattern executed in silver stain (yellow). |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | Reconstruction of the windows in the Chapel of the Holy Blood: Were 9 windows of two lights each. 19th replacements Window 7: Emperor Maximilian & Mary of Burgundy Window 8: Charles the Bold and Isabel of Bourbon Window 9: Charles V and Isabella of Portugal From the archives of the Confraternity of the Holy Blood – payments for glazing were recorded in 1483 and in 1496. The ancient glass disappeared during the French invasion of 1797. The glass from the Chapel was sold by the municipality of Bruges to a local man for a miniscule sum who then sold them, at great profit, to an English man in the early 19th century. Believe the glass ended up with firm of Watson & Bethell. In 1913 they were owned by Grosvenor Thomas. He acquired them from Kilburn Grange which was erected after 1830. There are coloured drawings of the windows, pre-dispersal, in the Chapel archives. In 1845 reproductions of the panels were made from these drawings by the glass painter Pluys. Rackham, in a letter of 1921, says panels were previously in Kilburn Grange which had been pulled down 10 or 12 years ago [presumably meaning 1909 or 1911]. The family of Major Cecil Peters of Sunbury Manor, Sunbury in Middlesex, formerly owned Kilburn Grange. |
Historical context | (10 November 1433) Birth of Charles, son of Duke Philip and Isabella of Portugal (1433-1467) Charles bore the title of Count of Charolais during his father's lifetime. His wife Isabella of Bourbon bore the title of Countess of Charolais. (1467) Became Duke of Burgundy upon death of father. Charles bore the following titles at his death which then passed to Mary: Duke of Burgundy, Limburg, Lothier and Luxembourg Margrave of Namur Count of Artois, Franche-Comte, Flanders, Hainault, Holland and Zeeland Duke of Guelders Count of Zutphen (January 1477) Duke Charles the Bold was killed in battle. His heir was Mary but the Duchy of Burgundy was annexed by the French crown as there was no direct male heir. Mary retained, according to French law, only the Burgundian Netherlands and Franche-Comte. Mary married Maximilian by proxy within several months and he proceeded to secure the lands of the old Duchy back from the French crown. Although the Dukedom was officially lost, Mary and Maximilian's son, Philip the Fair, bore the titular honour of 'Duke of Burgundy'. Mary died in 1482 and her lands passed to Philip. |
Production | From the Chapel of the Holy Blood, Bruges. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Until 1795, the two-light windows of the Chapel of the Holy Blood in Bruges in Belgium contained images of the Dukes of Burgundy and their consorts (wives). The sequence started with Philippe le Hardi, or Philip the Bold (ruled 1364–1404). The Habsburgs were also shown in the case of Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor from 1493, who married into the Burgundian line. The figures were all identified by coats of arms displayed below them. The stained glass was removed in 1795 and shortly afterwards sold to a British dealer. Some of it was later installed at Kilburn Grange, a private house in north-west London. This was demolished in 1910. The Museum acquired the present panels (inv. nos C.438 to 439, 441 to 443-1918) in 1918, together with other coats of arms and a late figure of Charles V. The ducal figures in stained glass now in the Chapel of the Holy Blood were made in the years 1845-7. They were based on watercolours of the originals. |
Associated objects | |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | C.439:1-1918 |
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Record created | August 4, 1998 |
Record URL |
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