About the Artist

Francois Clouet (c. 1520 Tours? - 1572 Paris), also called Francois Janet, was probably the pupil of his father, Jean Clouet, with whom he worked in Tours and then at the royal court in Paris. After his father's death, he worked for Francis I (1494-1547) and for the rulers that succeeded him. His portraits and mythological paintings show the influence both of the realistic, naturalistic style of northern Europe and of German courtly painting. Clouet also adopted elements of Florentine Mannerism. Major works by the artist include A Lady at her Bath, 1550-1560, The National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; and Portrait of Charles IX, 1563, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.