A photo of Clos Luce in Amboise, France, artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci's home during the last three years of his life. The chateau is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and open to the public 365 days a year. Charles VIII purchased Clos Luce in 1490. Etienne le Loup, major-domo to King Louis XI, built the house in 1471 on 12th-century foundations. It remained a royal domain until the French Revolution. Charles VIII transformed the manor house into a summer residence of sorts for his bride, Anne of Brittany.
As no interior photographs are allowed, I bought the book Chateau du Clos Luce Watercolours by Beatrice Saint Bris.
Da Vinci arrived in Amboise in 1516, having crossed the Alps riding a mule. He was accompanied by his disciples Francesco Melzi and Batista de Villanis and his servant. In his saddlebags, the 64-year-old Leonardo carried three major paintings, as well as his notes and manuscripts. Two of those paintings, the Mona Lisa and St. John the Baptist - the latter completed at Clos Luce - are part of the permanent collection in the Louvre, Paris.
The main entrance of the 15th-century manor house, which was built of pink bricks and white limestone. An underground tunnel linked the house to the castle, 400 metres away.
The doorway to the oratory, or chapel, built for Anne of Brittany. Holding her Book of Hours, the queen often prayed here for her children, who died young. Her Book of Hours was commissioned from Jean Bourdichon, an illuminator from Tours.
Beatrice Saint Bris's watercolour depiction of the chapel's exterior doorway.
A doorway in the parapet walk and watchtower, built under Louis XI. It is the last surviving piece of medieval architecture, when Clos Luce was a fortified residence. During the Renaissance, the parapet walk was converted into a gallery, similar to an Italian loggia. The court and its ladies would sit here to watch tournaments and festivities that Leonardo da Vinci organised for his friend, Francois I.
A watercolour of the parapet walk. It is now the main entrance for visitors to Clos Luce.
Leonardo's bed chamber and the window from which he viewed his Renaissance garden, as well as the castle of Francois I. Leonardo's drawing of this view is part of the Windsor collection, owned by the British royal family. The Renaissance canopied-bed is sculpted with chimera, cherubs and sea creatures.
Leonardo wrote his will in this room, leaving his manuscripts, and notebooks of drawings and sketches to Francesco Melzi, his disciple. He died on May 2, 1519, after receiving the holy sacraments. Tradition has it that Francois I was with Leonardo at the moment of his death.
The chapel where Anne of Brittany spent so many hours. A framed quotation from Leonardo hangs near the gothic doorway: "L'amour triomphe de tout," or "love triumphs over everything." I spent several minutes absorbed by the peaceful atmosphere in this beautiful oratory.
The Chapel bears the three fleurs-de-lis of the French coat of arms, surrounded by the Collar of the Order of St. Michael, founded by Louis XI. The chapel also features a Romanesque ribbed and vaulted ceiling, painted deep blue and punctuated with gold stars. Three restored wall frescoes are attributed to Leonardo's disciples, including A Madonna of Light, an Annunciation and an Assumption. The Virgo Lucis, or Madonna of Light, is carrying the Infant Jesus, her feet resting on a crescent moon.
Watercolours by Beatrice Saint Bris; photographs by Tara Bradford.
cool
Posted by: donnie | 10 June 2008 at 18:38
cool
Posted by: donnie | 10 June 2008 at 18:36
Dear All,
I was so surprised to discover this blog and very happy that you loved the book..
Thanks for your kind comments!
You're alwaws welcome at the Clos Lucé in the Loire valley, be sure that if I am here, I will be very pleased to dedicate you my watercolour book.
Best regards,
Beatrice Saint Bris
Posted by: Beatrice Saint Bris | 06 February 2008 at 18:35
Da Vinci's French connection. Thank you for bringing us watercolors of places that da Vinci knew, along with your photographs.
Posted by: Jane Librizzi | 28 January 2008 at 16:34
What a delightful book - the watercolors are just lovely - that is such a wonderful souvenir to capture the memories.
Posted by: tinker | 28 November 2007 at 00:47
Someone give this woman a job as a travel correspondent. I visited Leonardo da Vinci's home in Vinci, Tuscany. He could certainly pick 'em. Location, location, location seemed to apply in his day also.
Posted by: Di Overton | 26 November 2007 at 17:22
lovely watercolors and what a delicious tour - thank you Tara!
I'm going to come back and savor some more...
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 26 November 2007 at 16:17
So close and yet so far!! It is so ironic (and awful) that we missed each other by hours and stationary train cars on my last trip. I love Amboise, do you?
Hope all is well with you and yours, dear heart. Please give my love to David and Jordana. And, of course, to you.
Posted by: Laura | 25 November 2007 at 13:30
How fascinating!
I love this
I love you
Posted by: Jenane | 25 November 2007 at 12:59
Hi, Tara-- about a dozen years ago, my husband and I went to Amboise and visited this very same place. I remember standing in a room where there was a vertical window beside which there was a small painting or sketch of the view out that window in the 16th century. It was as though to show us what Leonardo would have seen gazing out there. I remember standing in that space, looking across that landscape, thrilled to know that perhaps Leonardo had stood in that very spot centuries earlier. It made me very still to think that I was actually there. In reading your post about your visit there (and seeing the marvelous art as well), I recalled the day I was there and what it meant to me. (BTW, we had intended to stay in the Loire for several days but cut our stay short to return to Paris. Much as we enjoyed LdV's home and a few chateau visits, we realized we are truly City Kitties.) Tonight, as so often, you have brightened my day. Merci bien!
Posted by: Joan | 25 November 2007 at 08:13
That is a gorgeous house, if you can call it that :-)
It's beautiful, very tudor-ish
Posted by: Amy | 25 November 2007 at 07:41
What a fantastic visit that must've been. Glad you had a sumptious, yet thoughtful, thanksgiving.
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 25 November 2007 at 05:50
This is wonderful! Amazing! Oh, it makes my mind start to imagine all sorts of tales...And the pics are so clear! Wow. That camera must be great.
I loooove seeing this stuff.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 25 November 2007 at 03:49
ohh ohh, i figured it out. because you show us the building through so many disparate points of view, closup photo realism, impressionist watercolours, done by people from different periods in history, we get a real sense of the building not just as threedimensional object but as a place. You give us a sense of place which involves ideas, emotions, continuance of lines of thought across time, eh voila, the thought of Leonardo in the place and in your post. BRAVO!
Posted by: PaulS | 25 November 2007 at 01:58
thank you thank you for bring me here...did you feel the essence of ldv while there...i felt it...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 25 November 2007 at 01:40
This is just wonderful -- wow -- thanks.
Posted by: fleur | 25 November 2007 at 01:02
Thank you for showing this Tara.
I've been fascinated by Leonardo's life. I've read he was depressed at the end of his life did you learn anything about this during your visit? It is interesting to see the dwelling he lived in.
ps You probably know this, but Da Vinci was ambidextrous. I've learned to use my non dominate hand because of him, just in small ways like unloading the dishwasher. It is good for the creative side of your brain to use your non dominate hand.
Posted by: rochambeau | 24 November 2007 at 23:47
I did so enjoy reading this post, looking at your photos and the watercolour pictures. Very interesting.
Posted by: ohsovintage | 24 November 2007 at 22:31
I could live there. Very happily :))
Posted by: C | 24 November 2007 at 21:41
Tara I have chills looking at this magnificent structure and reading about its history! The details certainly a lost skill. I am anxious to come to France and see for myself all the historic structures. I can just imagine the feeling you had as you toured this home that was once Da Vinci's!!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful history with us! ((((MAGNIFIQUE!!!))))
Posted by: naturegirl | 24 November 2007 at 20:28
I think everyone should have the opportunity to spend the last 3 years of their life in a "home" such as this. Incredible!! I'm glad you bought the book so that we could share the beautiful watercolours with you. You are so generous!
Posted by: cherie | 24 November 2007 at 20:13
the book you bought is so lovely and the aquarelles are so beautiful. a true treasure. how sad it is not being able to take pictures inside...
king francois cried tears when leonardo died!!
Posted by: marita | 24 November 2007 at 19:22
Tara, what a fantastic,informative post!! And the photos and watercolours are stunning!! In fact, I'm going to show my father this post, he'll find it fascinating!!xx
Posted by: Sophiehoneysuckle | 24 November 2007 at 19:13
Oh, I am ever so happy with those photographs. That is BEAUTIFUL, just stunning! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it! And the watercolors too!
Thanks for sharing. Wish I had visited there!
Melissa
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | 24 November 2007 at 19:08
Beautiful. The watercolors and the building itself. Just stunning. I will put it on my list for another visit.
Posted by: My Melange | 24 November 2007 at 19:07
Another blissful morning you have given moi !! Whheee! I am ever so thankful for finding your blog many moons ago when I was looking for blogs about Paris and France! Lucky LUCKY me! ..It is cold here today!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 24 November 2007 at 17:25
Tara, how enjoyable to read along while looking at these beautiful water colors. Especially love the photo of the doorway to the chapel, those mossy looking stairs and the water color drawing!
Posted by: stephanie | 24 November 2007 at 17:22
Tres tres belle! Your photos are awesome...I have much catching up to do...will write this weekend.
bisous, cher Tara :-)
Posted by: susanlavonne | 24 November 2007 at 17:22
I had no idea the Mona Lisa crossed the Alps in a mule saddlebag! Not very befitting for a Lady of such standing...
These are simply stunning, thank you so much for this virtual tour of some of Leonardo Da Vinci's works and of his home in Amboise. Just lovely. Paris is my absolute favourite city, and it's such a treat to see these beautiful photos on your blog. I feel very 'homesick' for Paris looking at these (not that Paris was ever my home, but still).
x
Posted by: Captain Cat | 24 November 2007 at 16:49