After Jacopo da Empoli(Italian 1551-1640) A 17th century painting of Catherine de Medici

Lot 489. Her profile shown from the right, wearing a large lace collar; taken from a larger composition by Jacopo da Empoli depicting her marriage to Henri II of France, mounted within a later giltwood frame, oil on canvas, 61cm high x 47cm wide - Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000

Note : The present composition is taken from part of a larger work by Jacopo da Empoli depicting The Marriage of Catherine de' Medici and Henri II which is in the collection of Lord Elgin.

Jacopo da Empoli was an alias of Jacopo di Chimenti, Empoli being the place his family came from. He was born in Florence in the parish of San Lorenzo, and was one of the most important Florentine artists to support the painting reform led by Santi di Tito, which would eventually cause the displacement of Mannerism.

The marriage of Catherine de' Medici and Henri II cemented the allegiance between France and Florence in 1533, when Catherine was just 14. It reflected the international recognition of the power and wealth of the Medici family, who were after all descended from tradesmen.
Unfortunately, Catherine was never admired for her beauty, and on her visit to Rome, the Venetian envoy described her as "small of stature, and thin, and without delicate features, but having the protruding eyes peculiar to the Medici family".

Bonhams. Early European Works of Art and Sculpture, including The Avery Collection, Knightsbridge Furniture, Carpets and Rugs, 11 Dec 200è. Knightsbridge