The Notre Dame de Grâce was brought to the Cathedral of Our Lady in
Cambrai in the mid-fifteenth century. The painting is contextualized in
relation to other Byzantine or Trecento images copied from important
icons that were popular north of the Alps, especially in France and the
Burgundian Netherlands. This background explains why images such as
these were important at this time. The donation of the image and its
installation into the cathedral is emphasised, as is its veneration, and
its attribution to Saint Luke. The payment for copies by Petrus Christus
and also the possibility that Hayne de Bruxelles may have been paid to
copy the Notre Dame de Grâce is also concentrated on. Other copies that
survive will be discussed, as will prints, coins, statues and pilgrim's
cards. Later paintings that may have been influenced by the original
image including those by Rogier van der Weyden and Dieric Bouts that
have been traditionally associated with the object will be addressed to
see if this was the case or if there were other prototypes. The gesture
of Christ stroking the Virgin's chin will be further discussed.