The Dauphin, Charles-Orland, at Prayer
Prayer Book of Anne de Bretagne
Illuminated by Jean Poyer
The Pierpont Morgan Library, Purchased in 1905
The Dauphin, Charles-Orland, at Prayer (fol. 31, right)
Poyer's final illumination for the Prayer Book of Anne de Bretagne depicts Charles-Orland, firstborn son of the queen and King Charles VIII, kneeling at prayer. The dauphin began his religious education on his mother's knee before his third birthday. Anne assumed the little prince would take some time learning all the book's prayers, for Charles-Orland is depicted at about the age of twelve.
Behind Charles-Orland is an empty throne, and it is for the wisdom with which to occupy this throne that the young prince prays.
The unfortunate prince Charles-Orland died just after his third birthday, so he never got to learn this prayer Anne had composed specially for him.