Attributed to François Quesnel (1543-1616) - Lot 156

Attributed to François Quesnel (1543-1616) Presumed portrait of Simon Fizes, Baron de Sauve Dimensions: 37.5 x 29 cm Oil on panel Presence of two old wax collection stamps and old attribution "école de Clouet" on the back of the panel Renaissance-style frame Simon Fizes, baron de Sauve was a French minister under Charles IX and Henri III, Secretary of State for War, the King's Household and Foreign Affairs from 1570 until his death on November 27, 1579. His wife, Charlotte de Sauve, was the mistress of Henri IV, King of Navarre, whose portrait, shown here, has physical similarities with other portraits of Henri, but unfortunately we know of very few works depicting Henri IV during this period. As for the pictorial style and the attribution to Quesnel, the dimensions, the support used, the framing of the composition, the cord of the Holy Spirit cut above the plate, the Italian collar and the very sober black vestment all support the attribution. François Quesnel was the ideal choice for this portrait, as he was the painter of Henri III's court and of his ministers, who, like the monarch's official portrait, are depicted in this way.