The metemorphoses of an image (16th-18th century)
From the following century onwards, the image of Agnès Sorel spreads, feeding a legend in the making. In a succession of works, recurring ornamental themes can be observed, which gradually form the near-official portrait of the favourite. This portrait is nevertheless subject to variations in accordance with the sensibility of the period that produced it. In spite of stylistic oscillations, Jean Fouquet's painting always remains in the background.
Iconography :
- Nicolas Ransonnette, The Dream of M. de Voltaire enlightened by the genius of poetry considers the medallions of Charles VII, Agnès Sorel, Joan of Arc, Dunois, etc that Love presents, and the genius of satire holds the cornet to him, and under the feet of the author is the Poème de la Pucelle by Chapelain, 18th century, print, BnF.
Objects :
- Anonymous, Young Woman with Dog [Presumed Portrait of Agnès Sorel], painting on wood, French school, first half of the 16th century, France. Musée des Beaux-Arts (Angers).
- Portrait of Agnès Sorel, French school, anonymous, 20th century, after Clouet, 16th century, oil painting on canvas, 82 x 107, Cité royale de Loches / Conseil départemental d'Indre-et-Loire.
- Anonymous, Agnès Sorel, 17th century, oil on canvas, [Inv. BUS1929000355]. Château de Bussy-Rabutin (Centre des Monuments nationaux).
- Claude VIGNON (1593-1670), Engraving from Jean Chapelain's heroic poem: "la Pucelle ou la France délivrée" [Roger comes to find his sister sitting by a rock], c.1656, CH.2010.005.0005. Archives départementales d'Indre-et-Loire.
- Claude VIGNON (1593-1670), Engraving from Jean Chapelain's heroic poem: "la Pucelle ou la France délivrée" [Agnès led by Roger talks to the king], c.1656, CH.2010.005.0006. Archives départementales d'Indre-et-Loire.
- Anonymous, Agnès Sorel, 1788, print, AD.8Fi0629. Archives départementales d'Indre-et-Loire.