Biographies

Jean Fouquet (Foucquet) (1420 – 1481) He was born at Tours and studied in Italy. He painted portraits and religious scenes, working for Popes and Kings. He was rediscovered in a show of French “Primitives” in 1904 and has received a good deal of attention since then. Many modernists, including the surrealists, were influenced by his work. Sometimes he spelled his name “Fouquet,” and both spellings should be used in searching for information about him and his work. Little is known about his early life and training. He worked in both large and small formats, excelling at the illumination of manuscripts and the painting of altar pieces.