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Pierre Milan

The Nymph of Fontainebleau

1554
Engraving on cream laid paper
52.2 × 32.9 cm (20.6 × 13 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The Nymph of Fontainebleau appeared in several guises at King Francis I’s charming getaway outside of Paris. This Mannerist engraving by Pierre Milan refers to a bronze relief sculpture by the Italian Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini. Francis commissioned this sculpture of the mythological woodland creature to go over the main entryway to the château. While differently composed than the relief, the print retains the detail of the spilling water vase, the nymph’s languorous posture, and the plenitude of animals.

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