Our Lady of the Fountains (La Brigue)

Our Lady of the Fountains (Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines) is a Roman Catholic chapel located near the village of La Brigue in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. The chapel is renowned for its extensive frescoes, painted in 1492 by Giovanni Canavesio, a priest and artist from Pinerolo, Italy. These frescoes depict scenes from the life of Christ, including the Passion, as well as the Last Judgment, and various saints.

The chapel sits at the confluence of several mountain streams, hence the name "of the Fountains." It is a popular site for pilgrimages and draws visitors interested in religious art and medieval history. The architecture is relatively simple, providing a neutral backdrop for the vibrant and detailed frescoes within.

The frescoes offer a significant example of late-Gothic art in the region and are considered particularly noteworthy for their dramatic storytelling and expressive figures. They are organized into distinct registers, providing a narrative sequence that allows viewers to follow the events of the biblical stories.

The chapel has been restored several times throughout its history, most notably in the 20th and 21st centuries, to preserve the frescoes from damage caused by moisture and weather. It is classified as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture, recognizing its historical and artistic importance.

The village of La Brigue itself adds to the historical context of the chapel, having once been part of Italy before being annexed by France in 1947. This border history is reflected in the chapel’s artistic style, which blends Italian and French influences.