Francis I (1494–1547), King of France

Workshop of Joos van Cleve Netherlandish
Not on view
King of France from 1515 to 1547, Francis I is sumptuously dressed in the latest court fashion and holding the golden pommel of a sword in his left hand. The shimmering quality of his costly red doublet is achieved by an expensive technique—a layer of silver leaf placed beneath a translucent glaze of red lake. Such portraits were produced in multiple versions to distribute to various European courts, such as those of Henry VIII and Charles II of Spain.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Francis I (1494–1547), King of France
  • Artist: Workshop of Joos van Cleve (Netherlandish, Cleve ca. 1485–1540/41 Antwerp)
  • Medium: Oil on canvas, transferred from wood
  • Dimensions: 16 x 12 7/8 in. (40.6 x 32.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.120
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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