Moses’ Well and the Chartreuse de Champmol

In the heart of Dijon, the Chartreuse de Champmol houses one of the most remarkable masterpieces of European medieval sculpture: the Well of Moses. A former monastery founded by the Dukes of Burgundy, the site tells a story where dynastic power, religious fervour and artistic genius converge.

A monastery in the service of the dukes

At the end of the 14th century, Philip the Bold commissioned the construction of the Chartreuse de Champmol to serve as the burial place for the Dukes of Burgundy of the Valois line. The monastery quickly became an exceptional artistic centre, where French artists and those from the North came together.

At the dukes’ instigation, the Chartreuse welcomed the greatest artists of its time. Among them was the Flemish sculptor Claus Sluter, who contributed some of his most famous works to the site, including the church portal and the Well of Moses.

The Origin of Moses’ Well

Moses’ Well stands at the centre of the great cloister of the Chartreuse. Far from being a mere well, it is a sculpted monument of great ambition, conceived as a central feature of the monastic complex.

The work is adorned with majestic statues of Moses and King David, accompanied by the four prophets Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah and Jeremiah. These biblical figures surround the base of the well and form a composition of rare power.

A masterpiece by Claus Sluter

‘The Well of Moses’ reveals the full extent of Claus Sluter’s mastery. The faces, postures, drapery and sculpted details display a striking realism for the time.

Moses, David and the prophets are not merely decorative figures: their almost lifelike presence lends the monument exceptional expressive power. The Well thus brilliantly illustrates the richness and finesse of Burgundian-Flemish sculpture of the late 14th century.

A preserved heritage

Although dismantled during the French Revolution, the monastery has nevertheless retained two major works by Claus Sluter: the church portal, depicting Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders, and the Well of Moses.

Today, a visit offers the chance to discover this exceptional heritage and to appreciate the importance of the Chartreuse in the artistic history of Dijon and Burgundy.