A Kiss for Alain Chartier

This medieval tapestry shows “A Kiss for Alain Chartier” by Dauphine Margaret of Scotland, eldest daughter of James I, the work of Edmund Blair Leighton from 1903. Chartier was a French poet and writer who in a story received a kiss from Margaret on ‘the invaluable mouth from which issued and which left so many witty remarks and virtuous words’ or ‘la precieuse bouche de laquelle sont issus et sortis tant de bons mots et vertueuses paroles’. This story was first told by fellow French author Guillaume Bouchet. Here we see the poet receiving a kiss near the lady’s court assistants. The architecture and lush plants and flowers sets the scene in this illustrious palace and grounds, with the typical elaborate gothic features such as the stone gargoyle. The elaborate costumes suggest that this was a festive occasion in which the kiss occurred. This medieval tapestry “A Kiss for Alain Chartier” is unlined and has a tunnel for easy hanging.