French Art and Architecture

French Art and Architecture
  • French artists
  • Romanesque French Art
  • Gothic Art
  • Renaissance Art
  • Baroque Art
  • 18th Century Art
  • 19th Century Art
  • 20th Century Art

The Renaissance

Sixteenth century France received a very strong wave of Italian influence. Due to the wars France waged on the weaker Italian states, new exposure to Italian culture had a very direct impact on art in France and the Italian Renaissance flowed into France. Many Italian artists were brought over to France on commissions, including by French kings Louis XII and Francis I.

An extensive decoration program began at the Palace of Fontainebleau, with a school of French painters working there under the direction of Francesco Primaticcio of Bologna, Italy. Especially notable works of art included the sculptures by Jean Goujon and Germain Pilon, engravings by Jacques Bellange and Jacques Callot, portrait painting and stucco work that established the Mannerist style of art, which was to have a very influential role in French art.