Detail of Anne of Brittany writing a letter, and her ladies

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

"Anne of Brittany, a handkerchief in her hand and eyes red from tears, implores Louis to come back to France. This is one of the best portraits of the Queen. The dog at her feet is a symbol of conjugal fidelity, the diptych in the alcove depicts the Virgin and Child. The ladies of her court wear the traditional Breton caps popularized by the Queen." pg 172.

Image from the book Western European Illuminated Manuscripts 8th to 16th Centuries by Tamara Voronova and Andrei Sterligov (2003). Image #244, Page #174. Confidential Concepts. ISBN 1904310478.