Imagine strolling down Rue Jean Pérreal. This unassuming street in Lyon holds a fascinating secret. It’s named after Jean Pérreal a significant figure in Lyon’s history. He wasn’t just any painter. Jean Pérreal was the leading painter for the city’s consulate. He designed the triumphant entries for Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany into Lyon. His artistic talent extended beyond city celebrations. He also contributed to the decoration of Brou Abbey.
Rue Jean Pérreal starts near the Avenue des Frères Lumière. It ends at Boulevard Jean XXIII. The street’s architecture is a blend of old and new. The first part is wide with three small apartment buildings. They have six four and three stories respectively. Number nine has a beautiful porch. Number eighteen faces a villa with large windows. The street narrows before a wall protecting the gardens of older houses. These houses face a building at number twenty-one. Then a two-story building at number twenty-five appears before the odd colonnade of the corner building on the boulevard.
Now you might wonder why we don’t see more obvious signs of this famous artist’s presence. The fact is that Rue Jean Pérreal is primarily a residential street. Only Solycom and a dentist have offices there. The street’s quiet nature contrasts sharply with Pérreal’s vibrant life. He painted portraits of kings. Charles VIII and Louis XII sat for him. He even painted portraits of Pierre Sala a fellow humanist. This humanist connection shows that Pérreal wasn’t just a court painter. He was part of a wider intellectual circle in Lyon.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Jean Pérreal’s life is his possible connection to the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Attribution is uncertain. He may have created them for Le Viste. These tapestries are now housed in the Cluny Museum in Paris. They are masterpieces of their time. Pérreal’s legacy lives on not just in these potential works. His sisters were also painters. Clement Marot even wrote a poem about them. He mourned their brother’s death. This poem speaks volumes about their artistic family.
So next time you’re in Lyon take a moment to reflect on Rue Jean Pérreal. This unassuming street holds the legacy of a remarkably talented and versatile artist. Jean Pérreal’s life and works bridge the gap between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. His story is woven into the fabric of Lyon’s history. Remember it next time you walk this street.