Fouquet (or Foucquet), Jean

(ca. 1420-ca. 1481)

   painter, miniaturist

   The most important French painter of the 15th century, Jean Fouquet was born in Tours and probably developed his technique in Parisian studios, while the style of his miniatures indicated that he was familiar with the limbourg manuscripts. He most likely did the Portrait de Charles VII before going to Italy (ca. 1445-48). Already well known, he was commissioned to paint the portrait (lost) of Pope Eugene IV; during his visit he assimilated Leone Alberti's discoveries on perspective, became friends with the Italian architect Antonio Filareti, and adopted the Italian architectural styles and ornamental motifs. Returning to Tours, he worked for King charles vii before becoming the official painter to louis xi (1474). A few of his paintings have survived. The portrait of Juvenal des Ursins and the diptych known as de Melun, representing Éti-enne Chevalier présénte par saint Étienne, and in the center La Vierge à l'Enfant, without doubt figure in the treatises of agnès sorel (ca. 1450). His portraits are characterized by glowing, clear colors, strong drawing, and characterization and humor. His miniatures are noted for their precision and exquisite technique. Fouquet also painted on enamel (Autoportrait) and organized festivals and solemn entrances for the king. In Heures d'Étienne Chevalier (between 1450 and 1480), a noted book of hours, he meticulously applied the process of perspective; in Bocacace (ca. 1458), the Grandes Chroniques de France, and above all the Antiquités judaïques (ca. 1467-76), he used diverse perspective techniques in the same composition.