Coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile at Reims 1460

Jean Fouquet made this illumination of the coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile at Reims. It is an illustration of a key institutional rite of passage for the French monarchy, which claims divine right to rule. Painted in France in the 15th century, the image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The fleur-de-lis symbol appears everywhere, proclaiming the legitimacy of the French kings. The prominent role of the bishops in the coronation reminds us of the symbiotic relationship between the Catholic Church and the Crown. Blanche of Castile is given an appropriately deferential, pious and supportive position within the composition. Her presence reinforces the importance of dynastic inheritance within this system of power. Historians consult illuminated manuscripts, alongside other written and visual sources, to understand how power was perceived, expressed, and maintained. This image tells us much about the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shaped artistic production in its time.