Vulcan and Cyclops Forging Cupid's Arrows

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.

1540

To Rome for casts of antique statues

By order of the king Primaticcio goes to Rome to bring back to France plaster casts of antique statues from the collection in the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican. He returns accompanied by the outstanding Italian architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola.

1545

A second buying trip to Italy

Francis I, who trusted Primaticcio’s eye, sends him to Italy again on a buying trip, as in 1540. In Rome part of his commission was to take casts of the best sculptures in the papal collections, some of which were later cast in bronze to decorate the parterres at Fontainebleau; other accounts place his second Italian journey in 1563.