King Henri II & Catherine de Medici Photos

French King Henri II reigned 1547-1559. Catherine de Medici ruled through her children until her death in 1589. Henri II and Catherine de' Medici were married at Age 14. The following year Henri II began a romance with his friend from childhood, Diane de Poitiers, who was 20 years his elder; Diane remained his mistress for the rest of Henri's life, leaving Catherine with very little influence over her husband. After Henri II's death in a jousting tournament, Catherine exiled Diane from the court life, and took over the magnificent Chenonceau Chateau which had been a gift to Diane from Henri II. Henri II's reign was marked by his severe prosecution of Protestants, mainly those known as Huguenots. He continued the battles against the powerful Hapsburg Empire and other European powers begun by his father, François I. The conflict was ultimately settled by the terms of the 1589 Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis signed by Henri II, Elizabeth I of England, and Philip II of Spain.

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Henri II, King of France painting at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Portrait of Henri II, King of France at Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Azay-le-Rideau, France.Henri II, King of France portrait by François Clouet school at Bode Museum. Berlin, Germany.Henri II painting by anonymous French artist at Museum of Fine Arts. Reims, France.
Henri II, King of France painting (17thC) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Portrait of Henri II, King of France at Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Azay-le-Rideau, France.Henri II, King of France portrait (1555) by François Clouet school at Bode Museum. Berlin, Germany.Henri II painting (16thC) by anonymous French artist at Museum of Fine Arts. Reims, France.
Henri II, King of France bronze & marble bust after Germain Pilon at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Henri II, King of France bust from Limoges at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.King Henri II painting on faience plate at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Death of Duc d'Anjou, son of Henri II painting by François Barthélemy Marius Abel at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.
Henri II, King of France bronze & marble bust (mid 16thC) after Germain Pilon at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Henri II, King of France bust (1561) from Limoges at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.King Henri II painting on faience plate at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Death of Duc d'Anjou, son of Henri II painting (1863) by François Barthélemy Marius Abel at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.
Portrait of Antonietta Gonsalvus who lived in Henri II's court by Lavinia Fontana in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Bronze statue of Diane d'Anet in Diane de Poitiers' bedroom placed to remind of Henri II's mistress at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Diane de Poitiers as Diana the Huntress painting by Primaticcio surrounded by collared portraits of era at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Diane de Poitiers sculpture bust after Jean Goujon at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.
Portrait of Antonietta Gonsalvus who lived in Henri II's court (c1595) by Lavinia Fontana in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Bronze statue of Diane d'Anet (19thC) in Diane de Poitiers' bedroom placed to remind of Henri II's mistress at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Diane de Poitiers as Diana the Huntress painting (1556) by Primaticcio surrounded by collared portraits of era at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Diane de Poitiers (mistress of Henri II) sculpture bust after Jean Goujon at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.
Ballroom or Henri II Gallery in Fontainbleau Palace. Fontainbleau, France.King's bedchamber used by François I, Henri II & Catherine de Medici in Royal Lodge at Chateau Royal of Amboise. Amboise, France.Tomb of Henri II & Catherine de' Medici carved by Germain Pilon at St-Denis Basilica. St Denis, France.Catherine de Medici portrait painting from the studio of François Clouet at Carnavalet Museum. Paris, France.
Ballroom or Henri II Gallery (16thC) in Fontainbleau Palace. Fontainbleau, France.King's bedchamber used by François I, Henri II & Catherine de Medici in Royal Lodge at Chateau Royal of Amboise. Amboise, France.Tomb of Henri II & Catherine de' Medici carved by Germain Pilon at St-Denis Basilica. St Denis, France.Catherine de Medici portrait painting (16thC) from the studio of François Clouet at Carnavalet Museum. Paris, France.
Portrait of Catherine de Medici from workshop of François Clouet at Angers Fine Arts Museum. Angers, France.Catherine de Medici portrait by Henri Sauvage at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Catherine de Medici in mourning enamel on copper painting from France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Portrait of Catherine de Medici at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.
Portrait of Catherine de Medici (c1565-70) from workshop of François Clouet at Angers Fine Arts Museum. Angers, France.Catherine de Medici (wife of Henri II) portrait (1901) by Henri Sauvage at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Catherine de Medici in mourning enamel on copper painting (19thC) from France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Portrait of Catherine de Medici (late 19thC) at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.
Portrait of Catherine de Medici at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Catherine de Medici receiving Ambassadors painting on faience plate by Ulysse Besnard at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Female saints linked to Catherine de Medici stained glass windows by Claudius Lavergne in oratory of Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Queen's chamber where custom says Catherine de Medici died in 1589 at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.
Portrait of Catherine de Medici (19thC copy) at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Catherine de Medici receiving Ambassadors painting on faience plate (1881) by Ulysse Besnard at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Female saints linked to Catherine de Medici stained glass windows (1858) by Claudius Lavergne in oratory of Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Queen's chamber where custom says Catherine de Medici died in 1589 at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.
Ceiling panels with initials Catherine de Medici of in Studiolo at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Catherine de Medici's garden at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Chenonceau Chateau seen from Catherine de Medici's garden. Chenonceau, France.Catherine de Medici's bedroom at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.
Ceiling panels with initials Catherine de Medici of in Studiolo at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.Catherine de Medici's garden at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Chenonceau Chateau seen from Catherine de Medici's garden. Chenonceau, France.Catherine de Medici's bedroom at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.
Life of Samson tapestry from Flanders in Catherine de Medici's bedroom at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Drawing of bridge galleries that Catherine de Medicis had built after she forced out Diane at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Bedroom of Catherine de Medici who acquired Chaumont estate in 1550 with Henri II-style bed at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Renaissance carved wardrobe close with upper panels showing faith, hope & charity flanked by seasons & lower panels showing 5 senses in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.
Life of Samson tapestry from Flanders in Catherine de Medici's bedroom at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Drawing of bridge galleries that Catherine de Medicis had built (1559) after she forced out Diane at Chenonceau Chateau. Chenonceau, France.Bedroom of Catherine de Medici who acquired Chaumont estate in 1550 with Henri II-style bed (19thC)at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Renaissance carved wardrobe close (15thC) with upper panels showing faith, hope & charity flanked by seasons & lower panels showing 5 senses in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.
Tapestry of Perseus & Pegasus from Tournai over Renaissance chest & side-chairs in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Renaissance high-backed chair carved with unicorns & heron swallowing eel in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Observation column with internal spiral staircase attrib. Jean Bullant was erected within a now demolished palace of Catherine de Medici now stands beside La Bourse de commerce. Paris, France.Historic plaque on base of Catherine de Medici's tower probably used for astrological observations at La Bourse. Paris, France.
Tapestry of Perseus & Pegasus (late 15thC) from Tournai over Renaissance chest & side-chairs in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Renaissance high-backed chair (1st quarter 16thC) carved with unicorns & heron swallowing eel in Catherine de Medici bedroom at Chaumont-Sur-Loire. France.Observation column with internal spiral staircase (1574) attrib. Jean Bullant was erected within a now demolished palace of Catherine de Medici now stands beside La Bourse de commerce. Paris, France. Historic plaque on base of Catherine de Medici's tower probably used for astrological observations at La Bourse. Paris, France.
Fountain of the Innocents to honor King Henry II. Paris, France.Fountain of the Innocents with cascading levels. Paris, France.

Fountain of the Innocents (1550s) (Place Joachim du Bellay) to honor King Henry II. Paris, France. Style: Renaissance-style. Fountain of the Innocents (1550s) (Place Joachim du Bellay) with cascading levels. Paris, France.

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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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