French 13th Century

The artist known as French 13th Century was active in the early high medieval period, with documented activity spanning approximately 1200 to 1290. The surviving body of work demonstrates the production of both detailed preparatory drawings and functional decorative art consistent with the religious demands of the era.

Five distinct works are represented in museum collections, confirming the artist’s focus on complex biblical and hagiographical narrative subjects. Four of these are drawings, and one is categorized as decorative art, illustrating key episodes from both the Old and New Testaments. Specific compositions include the Old Testament illustrations Joshua before the Lord and Moses Counting the Children of Israel, as well as the important devotional subject The Crucifixion. The extensive drawing Scenes from the Legends of Saints Blaise, Crispin, and Crispinian (center), and Old Testament Figures (sides) further highlights the artist’s mastery of complex multi-figure arrangements. The inclusion of the Manuscript Leaf from the Beauvais Missal points to the artist’s direct participation in the creation of illuminated religious texts.

The significance of these surviving examples of French 13th Century prints and drawings is established by their preservation in major institutions, including the National Gallery of Art. Because these historic works often reside in the public domain, researchers and the public can access high-quality prints for scholarly study.