Tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany

The tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany is a monument located in Nantes, in the Cathedral of St. Peter.

Francis II had wished that his body rest there, to join the remains of his first wife Margaret of Brittany.

It was executed in Carrara marble in the early sixteenth century by the sculptor Michel Colombe based on a design by the royal artist Jean Perréal.

At the four corners of the tomb stand four statues, each representing one of the cardinal virtues: Courage, Justice, Temperance and Prudence.

[1] The allegorical figures of women represent the four cardinal virtues, indicators of the virtuous path that the prince and that all men are called to follow: Ces deux filles faisaient grande douleur Dame Anne étoit la successeresse Et commença à penser en son coeur De ses affaires comme une vraie duchesse Tout le monde parloit de sa sagesse Nul ne pouvoit, à droit, apercevoir Sa grande vertu, prudence, noblesse