Serie van prenten naar de schilderijen van Fontainebleau

About this artwork

Rechtsonder genummerd: 5.

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our virtual gallery, where we explore the exquisite reproductions of Renaissance masterpieces. *Serie van prenten naar schilderijen van Fontaineble* (Series of Prints after the Paintings of Fontaineble), plate number 5, is an engraving by Michel Dorigny from 1644. Measuring 288 mm high by 209 mm wide, this print faithfully captures one of the iconic decorations from the Château de Fontaineau, the lavish royal palace southwest of Paris. The subtle numbering "5" in the bottom corner marks its place in Dorigny's celebrated series, making it a treasured piece for collectors of reproductive prints. Created over a century after the original Fontainebleau frescoes and stucco works—commissioned by King Francis I in the 1530s–40s—this engraving reflects the enduring legacy of the School of Fontainebleau. This influential Mannerist movement fused Italian sophistication (from artists like Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio) with French elegance, featuring graceful, elongated figures and intricate ornamental motifs adorning royal apartments. Dorigny's precise engraving technique, incising fine lines into a copper plate for inked impressions, allowed these elite court artworks to reach a broader European audience, democratizing high art during the Baroque era. As a medium, engraving preserved the opulent details of Fontainebleau's walls against time and decay, influencing artists and engravers across centuries. Imagine holding a window to Francis I's Renaissance splendor—truly a bridge between palace luxury and public appreciation!

About the Artist

Michel Dorigny · 1616–1665

French painter. Comment on works: Painter; History; Portrait; Engraver; Religious; Mythology; Draughtsman