Portrait of Pierre Strozzi

Portrait of Pierre Strozzi - Technique and Styles

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Portrait of Pierre Strozzi, Marshal of France
French school; ca. 1555

The portrait shows Pierre Strozzi, Marshal of France, a naturalized Frenchman born in Florence, a celebrated general who held a high position at the court of Henri II and Catherine de' Médicis. He was the queen's great nephew and enjoyed her favour. He fought in many land and sea battles and sieges. Henri II granted him the Épernay estat. He held high positions in the armies of the French King and Pope Paul IV, and was killed in the siege of Thionville. Highly educated, he collected fine books and old manuscripts and built up a rich library which Catherine de' Médicis appropriated after his death.