Masterpieces

Rectangular yellow and gray stained glass window depicting a couple playing chess indoors. Front view.

Stained glass, Chess players, Cl. 23422 © GrandPalaisRmn / Mathieu Rabeau

Chess players

Stained glass

Description

On display - room 19b

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This 15th-century grisaille panel depicts a courtly subject: a richly dressed couple playing chess. It is a rare example of secular stained glass. It comes from the Hôtel de la Bessée in Villefranche-sur-Saône.

It depicts a game of chess, which also connotes romantic sparring. The lady appears to be feigning surprise at her distracted suitor.This highly detailed courtly scene has been carefully executed, with the techniques of grisaille and silver yellow employed on white glass.

Though very popular among the cultivated aristocratic elite, few examples of civil stained glass remain today.

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century