School of Fontainebleau, circa 1540

With Pat Wengraf, London;

With Daniel Katz, Ltd., London, 2007;

Where acquired by the late collector.

The mythological subject and the format of the present composition recalls the work of several artists belonging to the so-called School of Fontainebleau. François I undertook an extensive decorative program for his Château de Fontainebleau and invited some of the most acclaimed artists of the time to decorate it, including several Italian Mannerist painters and sculptors. In 1531, the Florentine artist Rosso Fiorentino travelled to France at the behest of the King and soon began the massive decorative program of the interior of the palace which introduced France to the Italian Mannerist style. In the following years, the artist was joined by Francesco Primaticcio and much later Niccolò dell' Abbate, among others. 

The interior decoration of the chateau was infused with allegorical and mythological iconography and elegant, elongated figures, indicative of the Mannerist idiom. The characteristic exaggeratedly long torso and limbs, small, high breasts of Venus, elegantly tapered fingers and overall undulating lines are all present in this relief. The graphic quality of the present relief suggests that the sculptor followed a drawn or print model. During the French Renaissance, painters such as Francesco Primaticcio routinely furnished drawings to sculptors and the new works at Fontainebleau were recorded in detailed engravings that circulated among connoisseurs and artists, and this new, graceful style was disseminated throughout Europe.

Few sculptures from this period have survived making it challenging to ascribe this relief to a particular artist but it is evident that this elegant relief incorporates many of the stylistic and iconographical characteristics of the Fontainebleau style.

RELATED LITERATURE

L’ ecole de Fontainebleau, exhibition catalogue, 2 vols, Grand Palais, Paris, October 1972 – January 1973