Madonna and Child

30. April 1504

Born

1532

Arrives at the court of Francis I

Primaticcio arrives at the court of King Francis I of France, replacing Giulio Romano, and works with Francesco Caccianemici and Rosso Fiorentino.

1533

Decorates the king’s and queen’s apartments at Fontainebleau

With Antonio da Trento, Primaticcio leads the team decorating the king’s and queen’s apartments at the Château de Fontainebleau, which becomes his main place of work for a long time. With his assistants he decorates the interiors with frescoes, statues and stucco; among the works are the decorated fireplace (1535), the Golden Door, the Pavilion of Pomona, the Gallery of Ulysses, the Gallery of Henry II and the Guise Chapel.

1540

Takes charge of the work at Fontainebleau after Rosso

After Rosso Fiorentino’s death Primaticcio takes control of the artistic direction at Fontainebleau, furnishing the painters and stuccators of his team, such as Nicolò dell’Abate, with designs. He makes cartoons for tapestry-weavers and designs elaborate ephemeral decorations for masques and fêtes.

12 July 1559

Catherine de’ Medici entrusts the works to Primaticcio

Two days after the death of Henry II, Catherine de’ Medici thanks Philibert Delorme, whom Diane de Poitiers had patronised, and entrusts the main works to Primaticcio, appointing him on 12 July 1559 surintendent of the royal buildings. In his lifetime he served four Valois kings — Francis I, Henry II, Francis II and Charles IX — and made for them not only frescoes but also designs for reliefs and painted ceilings, patterns for carving, furniture and jewellery.

1560/1570

Died