ABSTRACT
The court of France was much larger than the king's family circle: it comprised his household, the households of members of his family, and an amorphous mass of hangers-on. The king's closest companions were the Gentlemen of the chamber, who were often employed on missions which might take them away from court for long periods. It was not until 1531 at Fontainebleau that Italian artists were regularly employed by the king. The first to arrive was Rosso. Some of the most valuable objects in Francis l's collection were made by the Florentine goldsmith and sculptor, Benvenuto Cellini, whose lively autobiography sheds much light on the king's artistic patronage. The first work made by Cellini for the king was a silver statue of Jupiter. This was part of a set of twelve life-size statues of gods and goddesses, which the king wanted to serve as candelabra for his table.
