Jean II Pénicaud

1515 – 1588

French enameller, part of a family of enamellers active in Limoges. Probably one of the sons of the enameller Nardon Pénicaud and nephew to Jean Pénicaud I, Jean Pénicaud II was the leading exponent in Limoges of a Renaissance style based on the Italian Mannerism of the Fontainebleau School. He excelled in both grisaille and polychrome painted enamels, though he showed a preference for grisaille work and his extant polychrome works are rare. He created both ecclesiastical and secular work and is especially known for his reliquaries and portraits such as the medallion of Pope Clement VII (Paris, Musée du Louvre). His signed and dated works are few but his style is recognisable especially in his fine representation of faces and use of subtle flesh tones.

View all works →