Michel Colombe (1430-1512)

The medieval artist Michel Colombe is considered one of the last important Gothic sculptors of France. His name was buried in history until 1727 when he was 're-discovered' as the sculptor of the magnificent tomb of Francis II, the last Duke of Brittany (Nantes Cathedral, 1502-7). Today, his reputation rests even more on his marble relief, 'St. George and the Dragon' (1508–09, Louvre), a late Gothic sculpture that blends Loire Style Gothic fantasy with Italian Renaissance modelling.

Marble Tomb For Duchess of Brittany

Very little is known of Colombe's life and only two works of sculpture may definitely be attributed to him. He may have been born in Bourges, central France around 1430.

FAMOUS MEDIEVAL SCULPTORS
Gislebertus (12th century)
Master of Cabestany (12th century)
Master Mateo (12th century)
Benedetto Antelami (active 1178-1196)
Nicola Pisano (c.1206-1278)
Giovanni Pisano (c.1250-1314)
Arnolfo di Cambio (c.1240–1310)
Giovanni di Balduccio (c.1290–1339)
Andrea Pisano (1295-1348)
Filippo Calendario (pre-1315-1355)
Andre Beauneveu (c.1335-1400)
Claus Sluter (c.1340-1406)
Hans Multscher (c.1400-1467)
Giorgio da Sebenico (1410-1473)
Michel Colombe (c.1430-1512)
Veit Stoss (c.1447-1533)
Tilman Riemenschneider (c.1460-1531)
Gregor Erhart (c.1460-1540).

MEDIEVAL SCULPTURE
For details of the plastic arts during
the Middle Ages, see these resources:
Medieval Sculpture (c.400-1000)
From Late Antiquity to Romanesque
Romanesque Sculpture (1000-1200)
Rounded-arch Architecture/Sculpture
Gothic Sculpture (1150-1280)
Cathedral Art, Ile de France.
German Gothic Sculpture
Strasbourg, Bamberg Cathedrals
English Gothic Sculpture
Wells, Westminster Cathedrals
See also: Gothic Architecture.

In 1502 the last Duchess of Brittany, Anne commissioned him, to create a marble tomb to commemorate her parents, Francis II of Brittany and his wife Marguerite de Foix. The design of the tomb came from the sculptor Jean Perreal, and it was thought for many years that he also executed the work. Some confusion was bought about when the tomb was disassembled and buried for safe keeping during the French Revolution. We now know in fact, that Colombe carved the marble monument and it's religious figures and animals. The tomb is viewed as one of the finest sculptures in northern Europe. It displays a beautiful harmony and great refinement of execution and modelling. It demonstrates a mastery of technique and displays an influence of late Gothic art, of the genre produced in the Loire valley.

St. George and the Dragon, Louvre

The only other work attributable to Colombe is a marble relief, 'St. George and the Dragon' (1508–09), now on show at the Louvre Museum, Paris. It is the quality of the workmanship and the combination of French Gothic and Italian Renaissance style that gives this bas-relief it's critical acclaim. Originally the piece had been commissioned for an altarpiece for the Chateau de Chaillon.

Other Sculptures by Michel Colombe

Colombe may also have created the two gisant figures of Charles VIII's deceased children on their monument (1506) in Tours Cathedral. Also, an Entombment at the Solesmes Abbey (1494-98) may be his work.

BEST WORKS OF SCULPTURE
For a list of the world's top 100
3-D artworks, by the best sculptors
in the history of art, see:
Greatest Sculptures Ever.

BEST SCULPTORS
For a list of the world's most
talented 3-D artists, see:
Greatest Sculptors.

EVOLUTION OF SCULPTURE
For details of the origins and
development of the plastic arts
see: History of Sculpture.

Workshop

Colombe's workshop was reported as being very smoothly run with the help of three important assistants. The sculptor Guillaume Regnault worked with Colombe for over 40 years and undertook most of the actual carving in the workshop. Colombe wrote that he is: 'able and experienced enough to execute in large scale the carving of the figures used in said tomb, following my models; for he has served and aided me in such matters for forty years or so'. The mason Bastyen Francois undertook the architectural elements of large-scale monumental projects. Then there was his nephew, Francois Colombe, an illuminator who’s job was draft a job, then paint the small scale model which would be produced by Guillaume and Basteyn, so as to emulate the rich materials to be used in the full scale versions – black and white marble, gilt-bronze inscriptions, coats of arms and so on. It was quite common at the time for families to work in the same workshop, Guilds recommended this, as family members typically received less pay.

• For more facts about plastic arts in Ireland, see: Irish Art Encyclopedia.
• For details of sculptors in Ireland, see Irish Sculpture.
• For the evolution and development of the visual arts, see: History of Art.

• To Update This Mini-Biography of Michel Colombe, click here.

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