France: Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, La Tour-sur-Tinée
The frescoes in the Chapel of the White Penitents in the perched village of La Tour were painted in 1492 by Guirard Nadal and Currand Bravesi, two of the so-called peintres primitifs niçois (primitive painters of Nice) who are only known from this chapel. The sidewalls are covered with twenty panels in vibrant colours, depicting the Passion of Christ, while the ceiling shows God in Majesty within a purple mandorla. The altar wall is reserved for the Last Judgment with St. Peter herding the righteous to Heaven's door, while the damned are tortured by a group of devils worthy of Hieronymus Bosch.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29078] The first of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. To honour him people spread their cloaks on the ground and also lay down branches of trees. The gospel of John specifically mentions palm fronds (hence Palm Sunday) but in northern climates substitutes like yew, willow or box were often depicted. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
Frescoes in Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs in La tour sur Tinée.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29079] In the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour the Passion of Christ is depicted in twenty colourful panels. Here we see the Last Supper (panel no 3), the Garden of Gethsemane (no 4), soldiers entering the Garden of Gethsemane (no 5), the crucifixion (no 13), the deposition (no 14) and entombment of Jesus (no 15). The frescoes were executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29080] The third of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus and his disciples during the Last Supper. St. John is held in an awkward embrace that seems more appropriate for a wrestling match! The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29084] The fourteenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows the deposition of Jesus. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Soldiers in Garden of Gethsemane.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29083] The fifth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Roman soldiers entering the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane (detail). Although intending to arrest him, they seem a bit taken aback by the presence of Jesus. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). The painters seem to have left part of the soldiers' garments in an unfinished state. La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29085] The seventh of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus being led by soldiers to the high priest Caiaphas (detail). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). The painters seem to have left part of the soldiers' garments in an unfinished state. La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29090] The seventeenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows his resurrection, with sleeping Roman soldiers guarding the tomb. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29089] The tenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus brought before Pontius Pilate (detail). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29092] The seventeenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows his resurrection, with sleeping Roman soldiers guarding the tomb (detail). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29096] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Mary and an angel who is sounding the trumpet for the resurrection. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29095] The ceiling of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows God in Majesty surrounded by a mandorla. He is holding a sphere, topped by a cross, symbolizing the power of christianity spreading throughout the world. The fresco was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
Devil leading the damned to hell.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29099] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows a devil pushing a group of damned to the mouth of hell. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Devil leading the damned to hell.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29100] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows a devil riding a damned woman to the mouth of hell. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Exterior of Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs in La tour sur Tinée.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29077] The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs (chapel of the Confraternity of White Penitents) is located in the village of La Tour sur Tinée in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29081] The fourth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus praying for strength in the Garden of Gethsemane while his disciples are fast asleep. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
Soldiers in Garden of Gethsemane.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29082] The fifth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Roman soldiers entering the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane. Although intending to arrest him, they seem a bit taken aback by the presence of Jesus. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's left wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). The painters seem to have left part of the soldiers' garments in an unfinished state. La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29086] The ninth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows the derision of a blindfolded Jesus. He is spat at and two men use canes to press the crown of thorns on his head (the crown itself is not visible, though). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29088] The tenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Jesus brought before Pontius Pilate. The Roman prefect washes his hands to show that he will not be responsible for the execution of Christ. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29087] The ninth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows the derision of a blindfolded Jesus (detail). He is spat at and two men use canes to press the crown of thorns on his head (the crown itself is not visible, though). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29091] The seventeenth of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows his resurrection, with sleeping Roman soldiers guarding the tomb (detail). The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29093] The last of twenty panels depicting the Passion of Christ in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows Mary Magdalene recognizing Jesus after his resurrection. The fresco was executed in 1492 on the chapel's right wall by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29094] The ceiling of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows God in Majesty surrounded by a mandorla. He is holding a sphere, topped by a cross, symbolizing the power of christianity spreading throughout the world. The fresco was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
St. Peter unlocking the gate of heaven.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29097] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows St. Peter welcoming the virtuous and unlocking the gate of heaven for them. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29098] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows several devils leading the damned to the mouth of hell. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk & Paul Smit.
Devil carrying the damned to hell.
[FRANCE.ALPSSOUTH 29101] The altar wall of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs at La Tour shows a devil carrying the damned to the mouth of hell in a basket. The image is part of a Last Judgment scene that was executed in 1492 by Currand Bravesi and Guirard Nadal, two of the so-called 'peintres primitifs niçois' (primitive painters of Nice). La Tour sur Tinée is a village in the French Alps, 30 km north of Nice. Photo Mick Palarczyk.