2015 France celebrates the 500-year anniversary of the coronation of Francis I in Reims
On the 25th of January 1515 Francis I was crowned king of France in Reims at the age of 20. Nine months later he routed the combined forces of the Papal States and the Old Swiss Confederacy at Marignano South of Milan. A series of exhibitions and other events seek to shed light on this famous French “Prince of the Reniassance”
Francis I of France at BnF
Francis I is emblematic for the French Renaissance. Not only known for his success as heroic leader of armies, he also left a marked imprint on the culture and literature of France. Amongst other things he is known for his buildings: the Château de Chambord, Château de St-Germain-en-Laye and Château de Fontainebleau as well as his patronage of Leonardo da Vinci. He is also known as a founder of the royal library, which is the germ of BnF.
In an upcoming exhibition at the Biblioteque nationale de France the creation of his images as François au Grand Nez, le Roi-Chevalier and le Roi-Guerrier will be explored in detail.
This upcoming exhibition promises to present us with the way in which his image was spun and created by artists. But it also promises to compare him to the other royal magnates on this scene: Henry VIII and Charles V.
The exhibition will comprise more than 200 objects – medallions, paintings and other pieces of art. Centrepiece, however, will be the recently acquired manuscript: Description des Douze Cécars avec leurs figures.
The exhibition is curated by Bruno Petey-Girard and Magali Vène and will be accompanied by a catalogue edited by them: Francois I. Pouvoir et image. Editions dé la BnF. 2015
A virtual exhibition on Francis I is under construction
Another exhibition will be mounted at Chantilly in the autumn of 2015
An introductory presentation of the exhibition can be read in the Croniques, Vol 72 published by BnF
François Ier pouvoir et image.
Site François-Mitterand, Galerie 1
24.03.2015 – 21.06.2015
Francis I 1515 – 2015 at Loire
The 500-year anniversary of the coronation of Françis I will also be celebrated in the Loire Valley. More specifically a trail of minor exhibitions and events will take place at Nantes, Brissac, Angers, Langeais, Azay le Rideau, Villandry, Loches, Clos Lucé, Amboise, Chambord, Sully-sur Loire and of course Blois. Highlights are:
Francis grew up at Amboise and here a year-long programme of exhibitions, guided tours, concerts and re-enactments are being planned. Full programme has not been published yet.
In July 2015 Château de Blois will present its take on the history of the French king. At the centre will be the Les Grandes Heures de Anne de Bretagne exhibited in a reconstruction of the first library of the king before he moved to Fontainebleau. For the first time his most precious books will be together once more. A number of priceless objet’s d’art will also be shown. The exhibition is mounted in partnership with BnF.
15.07.2015 – 18.10.2015
Château de Brissac
At Chateau de Brissac the story will be told about “a family in the service of the French Crown”. Château de Brissac was acquired in 1502 by René de Cossé, first Lord of Brissac.
01.04.2015 – 31.10.2015
Royal city of Lochs
In 1539 Francis I met with Charles V at Loches. This year’s celebration of the coronation of Francis includes an exhibition at Loches commemorating this meeting.
18.04.2015 – 20.09.2015
Château du Rive
It was at Château de Riveau that Francis I raised the horses, which played such an important role in the crafting of his image as the last “Roi-Chevalier”. A visit to his stables is a must during the anniversary, where a series of jousts are planned to be organised.
The dedicated website for the activities in the Loire Valley has not been publicised as yet and the full programme is not available (07.01.2015).
Francis I at Marignano
The battle of Marignano, 15 km. south of Milano, took place as part of the Italian Wars (1494 – 1559). It took place at the 13.09 – 15.09.1515 and involved French, Italian and Swiss forces. The prologue to the battle was a remarkable Alpine passage, where the French hauled heavy pieces of artillery over new-made roads over Col d’Argentière, a hither-to unknown route. When the French army arrived the allied parties were stunned and it quickly surprised and captures the papal commander, Colonna, seizing 6000 horses and lots of equipment. Aided by his battery of canons and his German soldiers François succeeded in defeating the Swiss army. It is estimated more than 18.000 soldiers were killed in the bloody battle.
The victory at Marignano was ten years later wiped from the board when Francis was defeated at Pavia and taken prisoner by the Spanish.
Afterwards the battle of Marignano some historians have considered the defeat the origin of Swiss neutrality, while others have disputed this as an anachronistic take on the horrors from September 1515. The question has been heavily debated in German and Swiss newspapers since summer 2014.
The Pro Marignano foundation plans a series of commemoration. Further information may by found at the dedicated website – www.mariganano1515.ch. Another group – Hourra, perdu ! 499 and Marignano – wishing to protest what they call the “nationalistic celebrations” has published a series of papers explaining what they deem to be the so-called myth-making of the pro Marignano Foundation
READ MORE:
François Ier. Pouvoir et Image.
Ed by Bruno Petey-Girard and Magali Vène together with d’Estelle Boeuf-Belilita and Lucile Trunel
BnF 2015
ISBN: 978-2-7177-2622-0
ISBN: 9782717726220
François Ier, Roi de France, Roi-Chevalier, Prince de la Renaissance française
By Max Gallo
XO Editions 2014
François Ier, roi de chimeres
By Franck Ferrand
Flammarion 2014
HEAR MORE:
As part of the celebrations the the musical group “Doulce Mémoire” known for its performances of musical from the renaissance will perform music from the court of Frances I: Magnificenses à la cour de François Ier, Musiques pour la Chambre de de François Ier and Musiques pour l’Ecurie de François Ier. Performances are scheduled in Paris, Rambouillet, Azay-le Rideau, Chambord and Tours as well as in Hong Kong, Séul, Bangkok and Singapore. Full programme