The Juggler of Notre Dame, also known as Our Lady’s Tumbler or Le Jongleur de Notre Dame, is a medieval story from the 12th century that has inspired films, operas and several children’s books. A humble juggler who joins a monastery struggles to find a gift worthy to present to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Using his talent for juggling, he delivers a heartfelt performance in front of a statue of Mary. Through a miracle, Mary comes to life and applauds his true devotion.
Stained-glass artist Jeffrey Miller collaborated with artist Sarah Navasse — his daughter — and master craftsman Jeremy Bourdois on this stained-glass window commissioned by Harvard University medieval Latin professor Jan Ziolkowski for the 2018-19 exhibit Juggling the Middle Ages at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection in Washington, D.C. Miller is renowned for his application of traditional techniques of constructing and restoring stained-glass windows such as those found in cathedrals across Europe.
“You could say that it is the perfect metaphor for valuing even the humblest virtues in the people around us.“
The Marian Library's 2022 Christmas exhibit Juggling for Mary sprang from the research of Ziolkowski and utilized some materials from the 2018-19 exhibit Juggling the Middle Ages at the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library. Following the 2022 exhibit, the Marian Library acquired a modern (1926) illuminated manuscript adaptation of Anatole France's Le Jongleur de Notre Dame by artist Robert Lanz. The decoration and full-page illuminations combine Gothic revival decoration with Art Nouveau style.
