Portrait of a Courtier

Description Small, carefully drawn portraits of members of the French nobility were a specialty of Clouet and his workshop. Details of clothing are carefully noted, but the emphassis is on the face which is almost always shown in three-quarter view, a perspective that allows for both facial expression and a sense of the shape of the nose. If the sitter is looking at the viewer (as he does here), you have the impression that the sitter has just turned toward you and is giving you his/her full attention. At this small scale, such portraits could be easily sent to relatives.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
11/01/1944	Treatment	cleaned; coated; examined for condition; filled; inpainted; lined; reconstructed; varnish removed or reduced
9/01/1999	Treatment	coated; inpainted; varnish removed or reduced

Exhibitions

• Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1999-2000.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore, prior to 1909 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, before 1909