Plate LXVIII.
DIANE DE POITIERS.
François Clouet. About 1543.
Musée Condé.
To face page 240.
There is ample evidence to prove how much interest was taken by Catherine de Medicis in French portrait-painting. A list has been found, bearing the heading of “Les peintures qu’il faut,” of the pictures which she desired should be reproduced. Numerous “gens de maîtres” like Philibert Delormes, Jean Bullant, Scipion Bruisbal, and others were busily employed in making these copies from Clouet originals, in order to satisfy the great demand which then existed for them.
After Catherine’s death an Inventory of not less than 476 paintings (amongst which were 341 portraits) was made at the Palais de Tournelle, where she habitually resided; whilst another Inventory notes 39 small pictures executed in enamel, and 32 portraits in colour, 1 foot square each, of ladies and gentlemen of the Court.