Lady at her Toilette ~ ca. 1550-70

Woman at her Toilette by unknown painter, School of Fontainebleau ~ ca. 1550-70

” Fontainbleau, the famous French royal residence, was the site of great artistic activity in the mid-sixteenth century during the rule of Francis I. Developed at this court and nearly unique to it was the concept of a boudoir portrait, depicting the sitter in intimate circumstances. The Worcester panel has been connected specifically with François Clouet (about 1510-72), who served as court painter at Fontainbleau under both Francis I and Charles IV. Clouet was greatly influenced by Italian Mannerist portraiture with its emphasis on refined elegance and a great clarity and precision of draftsmanship. The subject of this work- identified variously as Diane de Poitiers, Mary, Queen of Scots, and other figures of royalty- remains unconfirmed. Several variants of this composition exist, supporting the theory that a famous prototype must have been their common inspiration. “

There are two variations on this painting, one of them in the Kunstmuseum Basel (see my other post here) and the other at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, France (see link here).

Via: Worcester Art Museum

Leave a Reply