Exhibition

Charles the Bold (1433–1477)

was one of the wealthiest sovereigns of Europe. He wanted to be king and tried to this end to marry his daughter Mary to Maximilian, the emperor's son.

However, Charles the Bold was brought down by his overweening ambition. Defeated by the army of the Swiss Confederates at the battles of Grandson and Murten in 1476, he finally lost his life in the battle of Nancy in 1477.

Only now did his daughter Mary marry the emperor's son, Maximilian. The house of Burgundy was absorbed into the house of Habsburg, which grew into an empire spanning the globe «on which the sun never set».

The Exhibition

displays outstanding works of art exemplifying Burgundian court culture. It brings together a series of priceless objects lent by the world’s leading museums and libraries: the most exquisite creations of the goldsmith’s art, magnificent tapestries, luxurious fabrics and embroideries, precious illuminated books, panel paintings, parade armour, jewellery, medals, and much more.

Using up-to-date technology, the exhibition graphically retells the dramatic life of Charles the Bold.

With this altar retable of Hans Memling a masterpiece of Early Netherlandish painting will be seen in Bern.
Hans Memling (c.1440-1494), Triptych of Willem Moreel, Bruges, 1484

The earliest and most magnificent of the millefleurs tapestries (patterned with small flowers and plants) was part of the legendary Burgundian booty captured by the Swiss Confederates.

Millefleurs Tapestry, Brussels, c.1466 

Emperor Charles V,
Leone Leoni (c.1509 – 1590), Milan, 1555
Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer

French edition of Xenophon’s «Hiéron», illuminated dedication page
Southern Netherlands, before 1467

Hans Memling
The Annunciation (exterior of the two wings of the Triptych of Jan Crabbe), 1467 – 1470
Oil on panel

Portrait of Margaret of York, third wife of Charles the Bold, Flanders, c.1468,

Toy model of a tournament, cast brass: two knights jousting. Mühlau bei Innsbruck, c.1500

Cope made from silk brocade, Italy, c.1450

Horse armour of Emperor Frederick III, 1477

Chronology

1363–1477

Burgundy rises to become a great European power under the four Valois Dukes. Its territory consists of Burgundy, the Franche Compté and the southern and northern Netherlands.

ca. 1400–1500
Burgundian court culture develops into one of the high points of European art. Artists of the stature of the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyck or Hans Memling are working in the Burgundian Netherlands.

1430

Philip the Good, father of Charles the Bold, founds the Burgundian order of chivalry of the Golden Fleece.

1467–1477

The reign of Charles the Bold. In his bid to become king, Charles uses his daughter to conduct an ambitious marriage policy.

1473

Charles the Bold meets Emperor Frederick III in Trier with lavish displays of pomp. However, plans for the marriage of their children and Charles' coronation fall through.

1475

Charles the Bold at the height of his power. His realm comprises territories in the south, such as Burgundy, the Netherlands and, for a time, Lorraine.

1476

Charles the Bold is embroiled in war with the Swiss and suffers disastrous defeats in the battles of Grandson and Murten.

1476

The Swiss capture the legendary «Burgundian booty», one of the largest spoils of war in human history.

1477

Charles the Bold perishes in the battle of Nancy. Under pressure from all sides, his daughter Mary of Burgundy marries Maximilian of Habsburg.

1500–1558

Emperor Charles V is the great-grandson of Charles the Bold. Thanks to the Burgundian inheritance, Habsburg becomes an empire spanning the globe.