1-153-769 - Art Media/Heritage Images

Altarpiece of the Parliament of Paris, c1452. Left: St Louis (Louis IX of France) with a tabard of fleur-de-lys and John the Baptist. Right: Charlemagne and St Denis (carrying his head). Centre: Christ crucified watched by the three Marys and St John the Apostle. Centre background: Montmartre where St Denis was beheaded. The dog represents the fidelity of Parliament to the monarchy. The bones at Golgotha are a memento mori. God surveys all from above. From the Musee du Louvre, Paris.