Jean Bourdichon, Louis XII Dictating a Reply to Hector of Troy in the Poetic Epistles of Anne of Brittany and Louis XII (Ms. Fr.F.v.XIV.8, fol. 81v), early 16th century, tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment. National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg
Remember the entry on Signorelli’s Communion of the Apostles, in which Christ appears to be distributing pot to his disciples rather than the Eucharistic host? Well today’s image is similar, only now we see a messenger before the king of France, Louis XII, who blows a puff of smoke towards his royal highness. WTF right? Take another look at the wavy haired, striped-garment wearing, sword-wielding envoy…
He has wings and his name is indicated in gold: Boreas, god of the North wind. I love the way that Bourdichon gave him striped garments and a turban to suggest his “exotic” origin. Louis is shown dictating a reply to the historic Hector of Troy as part of a larger series of letters by Louis and his wife, Anne of Brittany, about warfare and a desired victory over the Venetians.
