Detail of a carved wooden object depicting two pigs playing the organ. Front view.
Misericords, three pigs playing the organ and foliage, Cl. 20396 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado
Detail of a carved wooden object adorned with a stylized vegetal motif. Front view.
Misericords, three pigs playing the organ and foliage, Cl. 20396 (detail)
 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado
Detail of a carved wooden object depicting a pig playing the organ. Front view.
Misericords, three pigs playing the organ and foliage, Cl. 20396 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

The stalls from the Saint-Lucien-de-Beauvais Abbey

Description

Not on display

Late 15th century

Late Middle Ages

These stalls were commissioned in 1492 by Abbot Antoine du Bois for the Saint-Lucien-de-Beauvais Abbey. They are adorned with various scenes, most of which are secular.

The bench ends depict scenes from the Life of St Lucien, the patron saint of the Abbey and of saint Anthony, patron saint of the abbot Antoine du Bois. The abbot, commissioner for the stalls, is also shown praying in front of the saint.

In contrast, the seats are decorated with a wide variety of scenes, many of which are profane.

In the Middle Ages, cathedrals and collegiate and abbatial churches had to hold a great many clergy who assembled in them seven times a day for the divine offices. A particularly careful seating system allowed all members of the clergy to assemble at once.

The monks and canons, who had to stand for most of the services, were able to lean back on the small ledges on the underside of the folding seats to ease their legs. The ledges are called misericords, or mercy seats, because rest was a great mercy granted by God.

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