Attributed to Lucas de Heere: Triple profile portrait (1570)

 

(Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, USA)

A painting attributed to the Flemish artist Lucas de Heere (1534 – 1584). This painting shows the three figures dressed in the most elaborate fashion. The identity of these three people is unknown. It is suggested that these are three of the infamous mignons (male favourites) of French King Henry III (1551-1589). According to the contemporary chronicler Pierre de l'Estoile, these mignons (French for "the darlings" or "the dainty ones") made themselves "exceedingly odious, as much by their foolish and haughty demeanour,. as by their effeminate and immodest dress, but above all by the immense gifts the king made to them.". Some historians claim that these mignons were a factor in the disintegration of the late Valois monarchy. Painting from 1570.