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Who attended the court of Francis I?
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Francis I
King Francis I of France, portrait by Pierre Dumonstier, after a drawing by Jean Clouet; in the BibliothĂšque Nationale, Paris.
The court of Francis I was a brilliant and scholarly environment that brought together a diverse array of figures, including artists, intellectuals, noblemen, and ministers.
Key attendees and groups included:
- Artists and Intellectuals: Francis I was a great patron of the arts and welcomed renowned figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, who served as the kingâs painter, architect, and engineer. Other notable Italian artists commissioned or brought to court included Benvenuto Cellini, Rosso Fiorentino, and Francesco Primaticcio.12
- Nobility and Ministers: The court included rough provincial noblemen, childhood companions who became his ministers and favorites, and members of powerful aristocratic families who served on the royal council.43
- Women: The king highly valued the presence of women at court, including his mother Louise of Savoy, his sister Marguerite, his wife Claude, and various ladies of the court.45
- Officials: The court also featured a growing number of professional administrators, lawyers, and prelates who held various offices of state.3