'Portrait of Marguerite of Navarre', Jean Clouet, about 1527

A portrait of woman who is very richly dressed. She is also holding a parrot.

Oil on panel, 61.2 x 52.6cm

Accession Number WAG1308

This is thought to be a portrait of princess Marguerite of Angoulême, later Queen of Navarre, who was the sister of King Francis I of France. Clouet was court painter to Francis I.

This painting is full of symbols which may give clues to the painting's meaning. The sitter wears daisies in her hat. The French word for daisy is Marguerite. The parrot may symbolise eloquence and mean Marguerite was a good talker. The bird may also symbolise love, its green colour denoting passion.

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