France: Chapelle Saint Sébastien, Lanslevillard
Artistry from Italy - Frescoes that Never Lost their Colour Saturation
Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy.
Annunciation (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10970] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. Touching detail in this fresco of the Annunciation: baby Jesus. He is flying, together with the Holy Spirit, from God to Mary. Photo Paul Smit.
Temptations of Jesus (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10972] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. In the fresco 2 of the 3 temptations are shown: at left the devil proposes Jesus to jump from the Temple of Jerusalem and see if indeed angels would save him. But Jesus replies you should never test God. At right the devil and Jesus linger on a high mountain, from where they can see all the kingdoms of the world. The devil asks Jesus to worship him; in revanche he would offer him the kingdoms. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10974] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. The fresco shows a scene from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus is seen praying and receiving strength from an angel on the Mount of Olives, while his discipels sleep, prior to his betrayal and arrest. Photo Paul Smit.
Entombment of Jesus (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10976] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. In the fresco two men are present at the entombment of Christ: Joseph of Arimathea at left and Nicodemus at right. Probably it is Jesus' mother Mary who holds his hand. Mary Magdalene is the only woman with her hair completely uncovered. Photo Paul Smit.
Ascension of Jesus (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10978] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. The fresco shows the ascension of Jesus in his resurrected body in the presence of his apostles, 40 days after the ressurrection. Nearly every fresco in the chapel has this dark blue square in its composition; it adds a 'modern' feeling to this medieval mural. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10982] Two putti (baby angels) in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard. For baroque lovers the Haute Maurienne is a treasure trove with its Chemins de Baroque (baroque trail). Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10980] The Haute Maurienne is reknown for its art along the Chemins du Baroque, the Baroque Trail. Most of the angels seen in the local churches and chapels are putti, baby angels. But the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard hosts two teenagers, of which this is one, in the role of a caryatid. Photo Paul Smit.
Flight to Egypt (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10971] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. This fresco, showing the Flight to Egypt, adds some elements that are not part of the Bible story but come from the New Testament apocrypha: the miracle of the date palm bending down, so its fruit can be picked, and the presence of Salome as Jesus' nurse. Photo Paul Smit.
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10973] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. The fresco shows the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem on a donkey, which is celebrated within Christianity at Palm Sunday. That's because people laid down branches of palm trees (although the fresco shows different trees, better suited for the European onlookers). People laid down cloaks as well. A part of the painted, coffered ceiling can be seen above the fresco. Photo Paul Smit.
Deposition of Jesus (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10975] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. This interpretation of the Deposition shows Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus removing the nails and easing Jesus from the cross into the hands of St. John, while his mother Mary is holding his hand. On the left we Mary Magdalene (with long hair) and to other Marys. Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10977] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. The fresco shows what is often called the Harrowing of Hell or the Descent into Limbo. After being entombed and before resurrection Jesus descents to the dead and releases Hell's captives, particularly Adam and Eve (holding hands) and the righteous people of Old Testament times. Photo Paul Smit.
Treating the Plague (fresco in Lanslevillard).
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10969] Not only do the frescoes in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard reach an astonishing high artistic level, the colours have kept their original saturation as well. This most important work of art in the Haute Maurienne has been painted at the end of the 15th century by artists from Piemonte (now in Italy but then in the same country: Savoy). Its location may seem unexpected: a small village deep in the Alps. But the chapel is situated right at the start of the pass road over the Col du Mont Cenis, in those days one of the main connections between France and Italy. In those days people prayed to St. Sebastian as protection against the plague. In fact it was a rich bourgeois, who, after staying healthy during an epidemic, paid for the fresco painters, as a way of saying thank you to the saint. This fresco is one of a series showing the life of St. Sebastian. A doctor, helped by an assistant and the saint's spirit, is piercing a bubo of a woman. The plague was seen as a punishment by god, illustrated by the angel that is inviting a demon to find more sinners. So should we conclude St. Sebastian is working against the will of God? Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10981] Two putti (baby angels) in the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard. For baroque lovers the Haute Maurienne is a treasure trove with its Chemins de Baroque (baroque trail). Photo Paul Smit.
[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10979] The Haute Maurienne is reknown for its art along the Chemins du Baroque, the Baroque Trail. Most of the angels seen in the local churches and chapels are putti, baby angels. But the Chapelle Saint Sébastien in Lanslevillard hosts two teenagers, of which this is one, in the role of a caryatid. He is wearing amazing flared pants and colourful toe-less boots. A real dandy! Photo Paul Smit.