Jean Le Fondeur

Place: Giraumont

Born: 1365

Death: 1436

Biography:

Jean Le Fondeur, also known as Jean Fusoris, was a medieval French clergyman and astronomer who designed astrolabes and other astronomical instruments made of brass. He was born in 1365 in Giraumont, France, where his father dealt in pewter goods. Le Fondeur studied first at Mézières-sur-Meuse and then arts, medicine, and theology at the University of Paris, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1379 and a master's in 1391.

Artistic Career

Le Fondeur became a canon at the Rheims Cathedral in 1404, moving to Paris after he was ordained in 1411. He served as canon at Notre-Dame, provost at Seine et Marne (1414), and curate at Nancy. During his time in Paris, Le Fondeur oversaw an atelier to manufacture astronomical instruments and collaborated with other artists such as Jean de Berle and Jean de Chalon. One of his notable works is the Astrolabe with inscriptions in Gothic and Arabic, which can be found at the Museum aan de Stroom (Antwerp, Belgium).

Notable Works and Clients

Le Fondeur's clients included the royalty of France and the Bishop of Norwich. He sold an astrolabe to Richard Courtenay, the Bishop of Norwich in 1414, for which he was not fully paid. This led to his being suspected as a spy and charged with treason, but since evidence was not available, he was exiled to Mézières-sur-Meuse. Some of his notable works include:

• Astrolabe with inscriptions in Gothic and Arabic (Museum aan de Stroom (Antwerp, Belgium), Copper)
• Trigonometrical tables (1432)
• Book on cosmography (1423)

Legacy and Artistic Style

Le Fondeur's artistic style is characterized by his use of brass and copper in his astronomical instruments. His works are distinctive in having the star Aldebaran marked on them. Le Fondeur's legacy can be seen in the many astronomical instruments he designed and manufactured, which are now housed in museums such as the Musée Départemental Maurice Denis (France). His contributions to the field of astronomy and art have made him a notable figure in French history. To learn more about Jean Le Fondeur and his works, visit Wikioo.org or check out the Musée Départemental Maurice Denis (France) website. You can also explore the Musée Départemental Maurice Denis (France) and its Impressive Collection of Artworks on Wikioo.org.