Tomb of the Children of France - Tours Cathedral

This tomb, in Tours cathedral, by Michel Colombe was made in 1506 for the two sons of Charles VIII of France and Anne of Brittany. It is reputed to be the first tomb in the region that was made in the Italian style. The white Carrara marble was prized for its fineness, as it allows for high detail: flowing drapery, soft facial features, and ornamental patterns like fleurs-de-lis (symbol of the French monarchy). Additionally the marble’s polish adds a sense of purity and luminosity, reinforcing the innocence of the deceased children.

Charles Orlando, Dauphin of France, was born in October 1492, and died in December 1495 having caught measles at Amboise. A year later another son was born to Charles and Anne but he died within a month.

The children are depicted in a serene, almost lifelike repose, with their hands crossed in prayer, a lingering Gothic convention, yet the softness of their facial features and the gentle rendering of their clothing especially the soft drapery, reflect a Renaissance shift toward naturalistic detail in contrast to Gothic abstraction. The four kneeling angels at the corners are gently expressive, their downcast eyes and prayerful gestures evoke grief without theatricality, a hallmark of Renaissance restraint and emotion.

The tomb retains some Gothic elements: the elongated verticality of the figures and the symbolic presence of angels reflect older medieval funerary traditions. This makes it a transitional piece, showing how French art evolved from the spiritual focus of Gothic to the personal and emotional tone of the Renaissance.