Les Amours de Réné d'Anjou

Les Amours de Réné d'Anjou

René I of Anjou’s extremely eventful destiny brought him to the pinnacle of the Kingdom of France from ca. 1431 to 1453. It is not just his political career, but also his significance for art and science, that makes him one of the most iridescent princes of the Late Middle Ages. He particularly distinguished himself in the field of literature and poetry. The duke of Anjou and king of Naples composed numerous books of poetry and poetic texts, which clearly influenced the literary history of Europe. One of his most exciting works is the text Les amours de René d'Anjou, the late 15-century copy of which is furnished with 74 enchantingly-designed color miniatures.

René’s Path to the Crown

Born the second son of the Duke of Anjou on January 16th, 1409, René initially had few prospects for a high position of power in France. His ambitious mother Yolanda of Aragon nevertheless shrewdly wrangled the claim to the Duchies of Bar and Lorraine for him. His Uncle Ludwig, the Cardinal-Bishop of Chalon and Duke of Bar, adopted him as his heir in 1419, while in the same year, he was additionally engaged René to marry Isabella, the heiress of Charles II, Duke of Lorraine. It was obviously his good dynastic connections that allowed René to become the King of Naples. His political activities were principally characterized by military defeats and humiliations. The historian Desmond Stewart described him as one of the most spectacular royal losers of the 15th century outside of England. Notwithstanding, because of his mild manner and his benevolence for his people, he was a beloved ruler and gained the epithet “le bon roi”, the good king.

The Love of Art

In the realm of art and literature, René of Anjou was one of the most gifted princes of the Middle Ages. His paintings and above all his precious manuscripts are an essential part of the history of European art and culture. He was personally active in all the arts of his time as well as in handicraft, above all as a painter following the Flemish school of Barthélemy van Eyck, and collected and encouraged creative types around him. In the field of poetry, above all in allegories, he made many successful efforts. He maintained a literary and intellectual circle in Aix-en-Provence and Angers, respectively. He devoted himself to the revival of old-Provençal poetry, while collecting the works of the troubadours and writing himself. René was the patron of some of the most famous and talented masters of his time and he himself produced breathtaking paintings, the most famous of which is the work with the title “The Burning Bush” from the year 1476.

A Milestone of Literary History

Les amours de René d'Anjou represents one of the most famous and most significant literary works of the multi-talented ruler. The allegorical story is written partially in prose and partially in rhyming verse. The copy from ca. 1492–1495 presents the text about love, brave knights and squires, and their victory over all adversities in splendid pictures. The depiction of lighting conditions in the illustrations is breathtakingly masterful. This is particularly clear during night scenes, as well as depictions of the sunrise and dusk. The high quality of the miniatures often leads to speculation about their designer, who cannot be determined to this day. Uncertainties aside, the astounding images have lost none of their charm.