Portrait of Charles VII, King of France 1445

Jean Fouquet's "Portrait of Charles VII, King of France" (1445), now in the Louvre, depicts the monarch in a realistic yet idealized manner, typical of Early Netherlandish portraiture. The king's regal attire and contemplative expression convey his power and wisdom, while the subtle naturalism of Fouquet's brushstrokes and the detailed rendering of the fur trim on his sleeves demonstrate the artist's mastery of technique. The inscription at the top, "Le tresvictorieux Royte France," reinforces Charles VII's status as the victorious King of France.