ART 263 / MAN 263
The Business of Art

During the Renaissance, Francis I of France was a great patron of the arts, who had a chateau at Fontainebleau elaborately decorated. He also invited Leonardo da Vinci to spend his last few years in the French court - not creating art - just as a learned companion.

Henry VIII of England is known for his commission of many portraits. His portraits by the painter Holbein (see illustration from 1539 at the left) are perhaps the most famous. When Henry VIII wanted a new bride, he could not easily travel to the many royal courts of Europe to seek a bride, so he would send court artists. One legend goes that one artist brought back a portrait of a beautiful princess, and that Henry proposed marriage on the basis of her beauty. When she arrived, she was less than lovely. The artist saw her inner beauty and depicted it, whereas the king was not impressed by her appearance. The king secured a divorce, and the artist could have lost his head!

Home Page	Syllabus	Learning Modules	Instructors	Terms List	Time Line	Sources	Sinclair Home Page	Let's Chat