Plate LVI.
Photo. Giraudon.
FRANCIS I.
Louvre. Jean Clouet.
The next drawings of interest by this artist in the portfolios at Chantilly are likenesses of the two Dauphins of France[98] and of the other Royal Children: a portrait of the Dauphin François, which was repeated in colours in an exquisite little panel now at Antwerp,[99] with the slight difference that the Royal Child has exchanged his simple cap for a plumed hat; and likenesses of Monsieur d’Orléans (afterwards the Dauphin Henri), and of the third son, Charles, so great a favourite with his aunt Marguerite. This latter Prince had the good fortune to be kept at home when his two elder brothers were given as hostages to the Emperor Charles V after the disastrous defeat at Pavia to be subjected by him to four years of most inhuman imprisonment. Bodin, who was sent by their Royal Father to attend upon his unfortunate sons, relates that he found them in a dark chamber seated upon small wooden chairs. The hardest of straw mattresses were provided for them, and they were not allowed to wear the plumed caps which he brought for them, for fear that by some exercise of necromancy they might perhaps contrive to fly away! According to Brantôme, the poor Dauphin had almost forgotten his native French, so that his younger brother had to assist him in making himself understood. The charming sketch at Chantilly of the Dauphin François wearing a plumed hat was evidently made after his safe return to France.
Plate LVII.