The Eure is the left tributary of the Seine, upon which the town of Anet is situated. As a young bride, Diane often rode beside the river, and even swam in it. When Diane and Henri renovated the chateau, they had the course of the river altered so it flowed through the grounds.
The result was an idyllic setting in which they relax by the edge of the river and enjoy each other's company.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
The Grisaille Windows of Anet
Grisaille (pronounced
GREES-eye) is a technique of painting in monochrome, often grey, brown
(brunaille) or green (verdaille). It was
used not only in painting, but also in architecture, including stained glass windows. The technique emerged
during the 12th century and reached a pinnacle in the 14th
century.
Grisaille is accomplished
by painting on light glass using a mixture of ground glass, ground lead and
other substances. This mixture is
vitrifiable (able to be fired and turned into glass). Diane de Poitiers commissioned windows done with the technique.
In 1548, Nicolas Beaurain
completed a set of these windows for the great hall at Anet.
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