The arts in France under Charles VII: the Musée de Cluny's historic exhibition unveiled in images

The Middle Ages are often a little-known period in France: spanning almost a millennium, with its succession of kings and wars, this part of history seems quite obscure to us. Yet it contains some fascinating moments, and saw the creation of some extraordinary masterpieces.

It's one of these medieval chapters that the Musée de Cluny wishes to highlight in its new exhibition. The institution invites us to discover Charles VII, king from 1422 to 1461, and sovereign during a pivotal period in the history of art... From March 12 to June 16, 2024, we can admire the exhibition The Arts in France under Charles VII.

Nicknamed the "Victorious" or the "Well-Served", Charles VII had a complicated start in life. At just 15, the young dauphin had to flee Paris and the Burgundian family, determined to seize the throne. He also had to fight against the English invaders, in a war for which Joan of Arc was famous... This troubled period inspired artists in the second half of the 15th century.

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Indeed, it was at this time that we witnessed a veritable revival in art. Painting, sculpture, silverware, tapestry, stained glass and even illuminated manuscripts: the works on display at the Musée de Cluny bear witness to this radical change, this evolution in the arts and in people's minds. Gothic art gradually gave way to the Renaissance, transforming all practices.

The tour explains these many changes and the particularities of this innovative movement, while highlighting the great artists who worked during the reign of Charles VII. In particular, you can admire paintings by the greatest painter of this period, Jean Fouquet.

The Musée de Cluny has brought together a wide variety of works: statues, illuminations, stained glass, tapestries, paintings and even antique objects, such as a coat of mail or a sword... These diverse pieces tell the story of the evolution of art and the cultural differences between neighboring regions and countries. The works on display are highly colorful, some impressively rich, others highly expressive. The finesse of the execution, the colors, the emotions attached to these creations may surprise visitors who - like us - wrongly imagined that this period of wars and conspiracies was austere and sad. It's sure to rekindle our interest in history!

An exhibition not to be missed in spring 2024!