Leaf from Jehan de Courcy's "Chronique Universelle": King Priam Meets Helen and Paris outside the Gates of Troy
Unknown Artist
c. 1470
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Dimensions
36.3 × 27.2 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
Accession Number
1945.16
About this artwork
This miniature depicts the event that started the Trojan War. Helen, a Greek princess famous for her beauty, was loved by the Trojan prince Paris, who carried her off to Troy. Here she is presented to Priam, the King of Troy and father of Paris, outside the city gates. The leaf comes from Jehan de Courcy’s History of Greece and Rome, which relates the events of human history from the Creation to the birth of Christ. This work is also known as the Chronique Universelle (History of the World) de l...