Perréal, Jean

(ca. 1450-1530)

   painter, miniaturist

   Born in either Paris or Lyon, Jean Perréal, who is also known as Jehan de Paris, worked in the service of that city (1483) before painting for kings charles v III, louis XII, and Francis I. Perréal made several visits to Italy (1494, 1502, and 1509), before dedicating an important part of his activities to organizing "entrées" and festivals for the royal court. He also participated in a project for building the tomb of Philibert II of Savoy and Margaret of Austria, whom he served as court painter. Considered one of the most representative painters of his generation, Perréal created the medallion portraits of anne of Brittany and Louis XII, and it is as a miniaturist (Portrait de Charles VIII; Portrait de Anne de Bretagne, Portrait de Pierre Sala) that he excelled, showing a profound sense of naturalism, design, and style. He also produced a noted illustrated frontispiece for the poems of jean de meung (ca. 1516).