Epitaph of Nicolas Flamel

Nicolas Flamel (1330-1418) is a famous figure due to a legend that portrays him as a wealthy alchemist. He was actually a sworn writer at the University of Paris and was buried in the church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie. His epitaph commemorates the numerous donations made to churches and hospitals in Paris, which may have contributed to his reputation. It features an engraved decor consisting of two scenes. Above the engraved inscription, Christ gives his benediction and holds a cross-bearing globe. It is depicted as a bust, surrounded by the sun and the moon, along with Saints Peter and Paul. This scene used to stand out more clearly against a black mastic background. At the bottom of the epitaph, the deceased is depicted in a "transi," a type of funerary representation that was common in the late Middle Ages.

If you want to learn more about Nicolas Flamel, you can listen to our podcast "Promenade dans le Paris médiéval" (Walking through mediaeval Paris) which looks back on the journey of this member of the bourgeois with posterity full of mystery.