Isabella van Bourbon & Pleurants, Borman workshop (attributed to), Renier van Thienen (I) (attributed to), c. 1475 - c. 1476
bronze, h 55.5cm × w 25.5cm × d 12.5cm Catalogue entry
Mary of Burgundy had a mausoleum erected for her late mother, Isabella of Bourbon. Only the gisant (tomb effigy) of Isabella and 10 of the 24 figures originally surrounding the tomb have been preserved. These pleurants (weepers) represent five generations of grieving forebears. While the tomb commemorated Isabella, it mainly served to advertise Mary’s noble lineage. She was the sole remaining heir of the Dukes of Burgundy and therefore a highly desirable consort. A year after the monument was completed, she married Maximilian of Habsburg, whereby the Burgundian Netherlands became part of the vast Holy Roman Empire.
