Detail of Louis XII and his court

Poetic Epistle of Anne of Brittany and Louis XII. Illuminated by Bourdichon. F. 1v: Illustration to Epistle 4. Early 16th century.

"Louis writes a letter to his wife inviting her to come and visit him in Italy. His valour is symbolized by the armour and swords seen in the depths of the room and by the horse waiting for him at the door. The portrait of the King is not as good a likeness as the depiction of Anne." pg 172.

Image from the book Western European Illuminated Manuscripts 8th to 16th Centuries by Tamara Voronova and Andrei Sterligov (2003). Image #247, Page #175. Confidential Concepts. ISBN 1904310478.