Mourning and non-ordered religious behaviour in the tombs of Philip the Bold, John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria

Abstract The tomb of the Burgundian duke Philip Bold in Dijon, designed by Haarlem-born sculptor Claus Sluter, holds a key position development Western funerary art, especially on account lively and moving depiction cortège weepers around tomb. In this monument it is they who provide an example to their beholders – namely, how mourn deceased ruler. Not only do these expressive statuettes encourage viewer pray for Philip’s soul, but also evoke actual funeral liturgy duke. While clerical mourners move single direction form procession, lay figures seem more freely, directing themselves towards tomb’s onlookers stimulating them afterlife. This conflation transitional everlasting rituals expresses duality late Gothic attitudes death.