Francis I (1494–1547), King of France 1507 - 1541

Joos van Cleve painted this oil on wood panel portrait of Francis I, King of France, sometime in the 16th century. Francis I, known for his patronage of the arts and humanist learning, is presented here as the epitome of Renaissance kingship. The portrait allows us to consider the construction of masculine identity in the Renaissance. Francis is adorned in luxurious fabrics and a feathered hat, symbols of his wealth and status. His confident yet somewhat melancholic gaze suggests a man of power aware of the burdens of leadership. The prominent display of his hands, one holding gloves, speaks to the importance of gesture and self-presentation in the royal court. What I find most intriguing about this portrait is how it balances the outward display of power with an inner sense of the individual. It invites us to consider the complexities of identity and representation, then and now.