François Clouet, a prominent figure in 16th-century French art, was born around 1510 in Tours, France, and died in 1572 in Paris. He was the son of Jean Clouet, another notable painter of the time, from whom he inherited his artistic skills.
Not much is known about François Clouet's early life, but it is presumed that he received his initial training from his father. Jean Clouet had come to France from the Low Countries to work at the court of Francis I of France, which provided young François with an artistic environment steeped in the courtly traditions of the French Renaissance.
François Clouet succeeded his father as the official court painter after Jean's death in 1541. His career spanned the reigns of several French monarchs:
During this time, Clouet was responsible for producing numerous portraits of the royal family, nobility, and other prominent figures. His work is characterized by:
Some of his most recognized works include:
François Clouet's work significantly influenced French portraiture, setting a standard for royal and noble portraiture in the latter half of the 16th century. His style helped define the visual representation of power and elegance at the French court. Despite the destruction of many of his works during the French Revolution, his surviving pieces are highly valued for their historical and artistic merit.