French Court Painter, late 16th Century

Portrait of a nobleman,
oil on panel, 22 x 17 cm, framed

Despite the high quality of execution, the present portrait of a courtier has so far eluded a convincing attribution. François Clouet has been suggested as the possible artist, yet the facial features with the delicate and very detailed underdrawing are somewhat differently executed.

The artist was probably active at the court of the last Valois kings, and may have worked in the studio of François Clouet. Etienne Dumonstier works recall characteristics of the present painting. He primarily painted portraits for the French royal family and he was patronised by Catherine de’ Medici, and he was requested to carry out a diplomatic mission for her to Vienna around 1570. Dumonstier also painted for King Henri II of France and other members of the house of Valois as well as King Henri IV of France. Only a few works have been attributed with certainty to him, as definitive attributions have been difficult due to the similarities between the artists from Clouet’s workshop. Another possible attribution for the present painting may be the Monogrammist LAM (French, active 1568–74), whose portrait, previously thought to be by Dumonstier, is conserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.