CLOUET, Jean
(b. 1485/90, Bruxelles, d. 1541, Paris)

Portrait of François I as St John the Baptist

1518
Oil on wood, 96 x 79 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

This exceptional portrait shows the influence of both the Italian Renaissance and the traditional Flemish naturalism. The inspiration came certainly from Leonardo's St John the Baptist. Leonardo stayed that time in Amboise.