Catherine de Medici, Queen of France
1590
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1590
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Catherine de Medici, Queen of France is a 1590 ink by Thomas de Leu, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
The image is an engraving of a woman's portrait. She is wearing a ruffled collar and a hat, and is looking directly at the viewer. The engraving is done in a detailed, cross-hatched style, with intricate lines and shading that give the image depth and texture. The woman's face is serene and calm, with a subtle smile playing on her lips. Her eyes are cast downward slightly, giving the impression that she is lost in thought. The background of the engraving is plain, with no distracting details to take away from the subject. This engraving is a great example of the Renaissance style, which emphasized realism and attention to detail. To learn more about this style, check out the Renaissance movement.
Thomas de Leu or Leeuw or Le Leup or Deleu (1560–1612) was a French engraver, publisher, and print dealer of Flemish origin.
See the richer artist page