Jean Fouquet - Renaissance Painters, Timeline and Childhood
Jean Fouquet's Personal Details
Jean Fouquet was a leading 15th century artist in France who was a master manuscript illuminator
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | 1420 |
| Died on | January 1, 1481 |
| Nationality | French |
| Famous | Artists & Painters, Artists, Renaissance Painters, Miscellaneous |
| Birth Place | Tours |
| Gender | Male |
| Born in | Tours |
| Famous as | Painter |
| Died at Age | 61 |
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Jean Fouquet's photo
Who is Jean Fouquet?
Jean Fouquet was a leading 15th century artist in France who was a master manuscript illuminator. Considered to be an expert in panel painting as well, he is also believed to be the inventor of the portrait miniature. He was probably the first painter from northern Europe to travel to Italy and gain first-hand experience of the early Italian Renaissance which had a tremendous influence on his art. Not much is known about the circumstances of his birth or early life, though it is evident from his works of art that he received training from a master artist as a young man. He travelled to Italy where he observed the works of other artists and experienced the influence of Italian Renaissance. While in Italy he portrayed Pope Eugenius IV with his two nephews. This painting created a sensation and earned him international recognition. His trip to Italy had long lasting impact on his artistic styles. On returning to France, he incorporated elements of Italian art into his own paintings thereby creating his unique style that made him a much celebrated artist. He opened a workshop that became very successful and he received commissions from the nobles and the royals. King Charles VII was one of his patrons and his successor King Louis XI appointed Fouquet the official court painter.
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Childhood & Early Life
Jean Fouquet was born in 1420, in Tours, France. Not much is known about the circumstances surrounding his birth though it is believed that he was the illegitimate son of a priest.
He is believed to have received training in Paris as a manuscript illuminator.
Later Life
One of his earliest known paintings is the large panel portrait of King Charles VII, painted around 1445. The painting is believed to have been produced before Fouquet’s trip to Rome as there is no evidence of Italian influence. The portrait is abstractly staged and objective.
In 1446, he travelled to Rome as a part of a French mission. There he painted Pope Eugenius IV with his two nephews. This portrait caused quite a sensation as it was painted on canvas rather than on the more common wood support.
While in Rome he gained a first-hand experience of Italian Renaissance and studied the works of painters like Masaccio, Fra Angelico and Piero della Francesca. Italian art had a profound impact on his future painting style. After he returned to France, he opened a workshop in Tours.
His workshop proved to be quite successful and he received commissions from French nobility. King Charles VII was one of his regular patrons who greatly admired his art.
Around 1450 he made a self-portrait which featured a small, painted enamel roundel which was unusual for his time. It is also likely to be the earliest sole self-portrait surviving in Western art.
He possessed considerable expertise as an illuminator. He was very precise in rendering the finest of details, and his proficiency in creating the minutest of illustrations earned him the reputation of being a manuscript illuminator par excellence.
In the early 1450s, Fouquet started working on the ‘Melun Diptych’, which would become his most famous work. The right panel of the painting shows the Virgin and Child, surrounded by angels. The painting caused considerable controversy as the Virgin is a recognizable portrait of Agnes Sorel, the King's mistress, shown with an exposed breast.
Between 1450 and 1460, he produced several works for the royal secretary and lord treasurer, Étienne Chevalier. One of the major works he created was a large ‘Book of Hours’ with about 60 full-page miniatures.
During this time, he also worked on two richly illuminated manuscripts of a French translation of Boccaccio’s ‘De casibus virorum illustrium’ (‘On the Fates of Famous Men’) and ‘De claris mulieribus’ (‘On Famous Women’). He also made his only monumental painting, the large altarpiece of the “Pietà” in the church at Nouans in this period.
When King Charles VII died in 1461, Jean Fouquet was commissioned to make a colored death mask for the King's public funeral. Fouquet enjoyed even more prominence in the administration of Charles’ successor King Louis XI.
King Louis XI founded the Order of St. Michael in 1469, and commissioned Fouquet to illuminate the statutes of the order. The King was much impressed by his works and appointed him the peintre du roy (Court Painter) in 1475.
As the Court Painter, he enjoyed unprecedented success. In this position he supervised a large workshop that produced paintings and manuscripts. Over the course of his career, he also worked on assignments like painting banners and painting a canopy for the ceremonial entrance of Alfonso V of Portugal into Tours.
Major Works
The most important painting made by Jean Fouquet is the ‘Melun Diptych’, a two-panel oil painting completed around 1452. The left panel depicts Etienne Chevalier with his patron saint St. Stephen and the right panel depicts the Virgin and Christ child surrounded by angels.
Personal Life & Legacy
He got married in 1448.
He died in 1481 at the age of 61.
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Jean Fouquet biography timelines
- // 1420Jean Fouquet was born in 1420, in Tours, France. Not much is known about the circumstances surrounding his birth though it is believed that he was the illegitimate son of a priest.
- // 1445One of his earliest known paintings is the large panel portrait of King Charles VII, painted around 1445. The painting is believed to have been produced before Fouquet’s trip to Rome as there is no evidence of Italian influence. The portrait is abstractly staged and objective.
- // 1446In 1446, he travelled to Rome as a part of a French mission. There he painted Pope Eugenius IV with his two nephews. This portrait caused quite a sensation as it was painted on canvas rather than on the more common wood support.
- // 1448He got married in 1448.
- // 1450Around 1450 he made a self-portrait which featured a small, painted enamel roundel which was unusual for his time. It is also likely to be the earliest sole self-portrait surviving in Western art.
- // 1450 To 1460Between 1450 and 1460, he produced several works for the royal secretary and lord treasurer, Étienne Chevalier. One of the major works he created was a large ‘Book of Hours’ with about 60 full-page miniatures.
- // 1452The most important painting made by Jean Fouquet is the ‘Melun Diptych’, a two-panel oil painting completed around 1452. The left panel depicts Etienne Chevalier with his patron saint St. Stephen and the right panel depicts the Virgin and Christ child surrounded by angels.
- // 1461When King Charles VII died in 1461, Jean Fouquet was commissioned to make a colored death mask for the King's public funeral. Fouquet enjoyed even more prominence in the administration of Charles’ successor King Louis XI.
- // 1469 To 1475King Louis XI founded the Order of St. Michael in 1469, and commissioned Fouquet to illuminate the statutes of the order. The King was much impressed by his works and appointed him the peintre du roy (Court Painter) in 1475.
- // 1481He died in 1481 at the age of 61.
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Jean Fouquet's FAQ
When was Jean Fouquet died?
Jean Fouquet was died at 1481-01-01
Which age was Jean Fouquet died?
Jean Fouquet was died at age 61
Where is Jean Fouquet's birth place?
Jean Fouquet was born in Tours
What is Jean Fouquet nationalities?
Jean Fouquet's nationalities is French
How famous is Jean Fouquet?
Jean Fouquet is famouse as Painter