Francois Clouet was a prominent French painter during the Renaissance, known for his detailed portraiture. Born around 1510, he became the official court painter for King Francis I of France. Clouet's work is characterized by its realism and intricate attention to clothing and accessories, reflecting the fashion of his time. Clouet's portraits often depicted members of the French nobility, capturing their likenesses with precision. His most famous works include portraits of Catherine de' Medici and Henry II of France. Clouet's style influenced many artists and contributed significantly to the development of portrait painting in France.