Jean Fouquet, the originator of the Miniature Portrait

JEAN FOUQUET, THE ORIGINATOR OF THE MINIATURE PORTRAIT.

Jean Fouquet was an outstanding 15th century limner and painter, he was born in Tours, France, c.1420 and he also died in Tours between 1478 and 1481.

He was renowned for his exquisite manuscripts illuminations, painted with a variety of pure and deep colours  together with delicate touches of gold, giving a great distinction and refinement to the composition, he was trained in Paris under the Bedford Master.

Jean Fouquet was also a leading painter of the Renaissance. He was appointed court painter of Charles VII of France (1403-1461), and he was a protégé of Etienne Chevalier and Agnes Sorel. 

 A great example of Fouquet's  larger work is the elegant and solemn portrait of King Charles VII,  the curtains are drawn to reveal the majestic  king  of France , known as the "Victorious".  This wonderful work is on show at the Museum of Louvre, in Paris.

 Is interesting to note that the portrait of King Charles , could be the first portrait where the subject is not longer painted in profile, but from the front.

Later on Fouquet  was appointed Royal painter to King Louis XI of France (1423-1483),  he was the son of Charles VII. The kingdom of Louis XI marked very precised  the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the modern times

 Fouquet was in his late twenties o early thirties when he travelled through  Italy ,eventually returning to France, while in Rome he painted a highly elaborate portrait of Pope Eugene IV ( now lost).

 In Europe Jean Fouquet is renowned for being the author of the first miniature portrait painting, autonomous , without forming part of a manuscript or a scene

 This portrait  painted in 1450-55  is not only the first miniature portrait of a person alone, (as we know it in our days) , but is also the first self portrait of an artist, is painted in enamel on copper.

At the time, generally the artist didn't sign their work, is interesting to see his signature in this medallion, curiously  this is the only one of his works signed,  on doing so, he was not only looking for the well deserved recognition but also  claiming his rights as the author of such special portrait.

 In the past this medallion was part of a diptych, (a two panel painting) who was at one stage sold and divided. 

Jean  Fouquet's intimate and interesting self portrait measuring 6 cm in diameter is mounted in a circular golden frame and can now be seen at the Louvre Museum in Paris,  in the "objects d'art" section as it have been classified as "precious metalwork".

About the diptych:  It was created around 1452-58, commissioned by Etienne Chevalier who was the king's treasurer, with the intention perhaps for the diptych to decorate his tomb, it was housed in the Collegiate of Notre Dame of Melun,  France, ( this is an 11th century church founded by king Robert II). In 1773-75 the church was in need of repairs, (likely money was needed) the  panels were then separated and sold. 

 The right wing of the diptych  is depicting The Virgin and Child, surrounded by Angels, it is said that as a model for the Virgin, Fouquet used Agnes Sorel who was the king's favourite mistress. It is housed today in The Royal Museum of Beaux Arts Antwerp.

The left wing of the Melun diptych, shows Etienne Chevalier next to his patron Saint  St. Stephen , whom is holding in his left hand a Bible and a stone, as a symbol of his martyrdom . This panel is housed in Gemaldegalerie,  Berlin.

Fouquet's self-portrait is now preserved in the Louvre Museum, was part of the decoration of the diptych's frame, apparently existed others medallions decorating the frame, but they are probably lost. 

Jean Fouquet's  " Pieta of Nouans", an invaluable masterpiece  housed in the  church of Saint Martin, in Nouans les Fontaines, France. 

This is an awe-inspiring religious work of the Great French Master Jean Fouquet,  painted in oil on wood, c. 1460-1465.