Art Institute of Chicago

The Nymph of Fontainebleau

Pierre Milan (French, died 1557)

Date

1554

Medium

Engraving on cream laid paper

Culture

France

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The Nymph of Fontainebleau appeared in several guises at King Francis I’s charming getaway outside of Paris. This Mannerist engraving by Pierre Milan refers to a bronze relief sculpture by the Italian Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini. Francis commissioned this sculpture of the mythological woodland creature to go over the main entryway to the château. While differently composed than the relief, the print retains the detail of the spilling water vase, the nymph’s languorous posture, and the plenitude of animals.

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