Henri d'Albret (1503–55), King of Navarre

Léonard Limosin

1556 · Enamel, painted on copper and partly gilded · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Léonard Limosin was the greatest enamel painter working in the style of the School of Fontainebleau, Italian Mannerists and French artists active at the French court from about 1530 to 1570. Limosin's enameled portraits are numerous, and he has been ranked, along with Jean Clouet (1486–1540) and Corneille de Lyon (before 1500–1574), as the best portrait painter of Renaissance France. This plaque, one of at least six based on a drawing attributed to Limosin (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris), portrays the brother-in-law of the French king, François I (1497–1547), who ruled the independent kingdom of Navarre from 1518 until 1555.

Artist

Léonard Limosin

Date

1556

Medium

Enamel, painted on copper and partly gilded

Culture

French, Limoges

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Jules Bache Collection, 1949