Les vitraux du XVIe siècle consacrés à la légende du « pendu-dépendu » : nouvelles informations iconographiques

Sixteenth century Stain Glass Windows Consecrated to the Legend of the « Miracle of the Fouls » : a new iconographic investigation. A large number of 16th century stained glass windows still exist in France that illustrate the miracle of Saint James the Great, known as the legend of « Miracle of the Fouls ». Of the 13 windows that have been analyzed, only one, from the church of Cour-sur-Loire (Loir-Cher), ca. 1515, would appear to follow the version of Jacques de Voragine. The others are based on a popular variation that shows a servant taking revenge on a young pilgrim, who has offended him, by hiding a silver cup in the pilgrim’s personal belongings. The authenticity analysis of the glass of the window at Cour confirms the results of the iconographie analysis : the 19th century restorers were responsible for having made the window conform to the version of Jacques de Voragine. This window remains, nonetheless, unique, owing to one detail : the presence of an ornamental medallion with the figure of a Roman emperor, below which, is inscribed the name Raminagrobis . In an attempt to interweave the legend of the « the Miracle of the Fouls » and this name, the author will show that the episode of the Tiers-Livre of Rabelais, in which the poet Raminagrobis appears, would seem to allude to the miracle of Saint James the Great. Does the text of Rabelais, posterior to the glass (1515), appear to reveal an association between a Raminagrobis, the figure of an iniquitous and infidel judge, and the legend of « the Miracle of the Fouls » ?Riviale Laurence. Les vitraux du XVIe siècle consacrés à la légende du « pendu-dépendu » : nouvelles informations iconographiques. In: Histoire de l'art, N°40-41, 1998. Extrême Orient. pp. 113-125