Charlemagne Builder 1460

"Charlemagne Builder" is a 1460 miniature by Jean Fouquet, a leading French painter of the 15th century. The painting depicts Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor, overseeing the construction of a new building, possibly a cathedral. This scene is likely from a manuscript, as Fouquet was known for his illuminations. The detailed depiction of the workers and architectural elements reflects Fouquet’s keen eye for realism, a hallmark of the Early Renaissance style. Today the painting is housed at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris.