Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 26 works by Léonard Limousin in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Léonard Limousin left, the most famous is Crucifixion (1553), in the collection of the The Louvre, Paris. Close behind it come Henri d'Albret (1503–55), King of Navarre (1556) and Preachment (1500). Our catalog holds 26 works by Léonard Limousin; the gallery has kept the 25 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
Created in 1553, the Crucifixion by Léonard Limousin represents a significant achievement in High Renaissance enamel painting. This work was commissioned for the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, a setting that underscores the religious devotion of the era. As the central panel of an altarpiece, it was designed to anchor a larger theological narrative during a period of profound religious upheaval.
This portrait miniature, executed in painted enamel on copper, captures Henri d'Albret, King of Navarre, in a three-quarter view. The subject is rendered against a deep, saturated cobalt blue background that provides a stark contrast to the dark tones of his attire. A white feather rises from his black cap, adding a singular point of brightness to the composition. The technique relies on the meticulous application of glass-like pigments to…
Within the intricate world of 16th-century French portraiture, Leonard Limosin's “Portrait of Anne the Montmorency (detail)” stands as a testament to both technical mastery and subtle emotional depth. More than simply a likeness, it’s a carefully constructed tableau – a glimpse into the life and status of a powerful noblewoman within the turbulent political landscape of France. The painting, executed around 1556, is not merely a representation; it's an invitation…
In the delicate, luminous world of sixteenth-century French portraiture, Léonard Limosin’s Portrait of Anne the Montmorency stands as a breathtaking testament to both technical mastery and subtle emotional depth. This exquisite work is far more than a mere likeness; it is a carefully constructed tableau that offers an intimate glimpse into the life and status of a powerful noble figure within the turbulent political landscape of France. As we gaze…
In the quiet elegance of the French Renaissance, few objects capture the intersection of courtly sophistication and tactile artistry as exquisitely as the Tric-Trac Board by the legendary enameller Léonard Limosin. Created in 1537, this is not merely a functional game board for an early form of backgammon; it is a profound statement of status, craftsmanship, and the refined leisure of the Valois court. At first glance, the viewer is…
In the intimate scale of this exquisite enamel plaque, we encounter the commanding presence of Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Châtillon. Created in 1567 by the master Léonard Limosin, this work serves as more than a mere portrait; it is a window into the profound dignity of the French Renaissance. The subject gazates outward with a gaze that is both piercing and contemplative, his features rendered with such precision that…
Portrait of Galiot de Genouillac1546 · Musée de l'Évèché
12
St John1547 · Musée des Beaux-Arts
13
St Paul and St Thomas1547 · The Louvre
14
Angel with the ladder used for the deposition of Christ, detail of an altarpiece with the Resurrection, Limoges artwork.
15
The Triumph of the Eucharist and the Catholic Faith1561 · The Frick Collection
16
Portrait of a Man (Guillaume Farel?)1546 · The Frick Collection
17
Dido
18
Aeneas
19
The dauphin, the future François II
20
Portrait of Guy Chabot, Baron de Jarnac
21
The Crucifixion, central panel of an altarpiece.
22
Angel with the Cross and St Veronica's veil, detail of an altarpiece with the Resurrection, Limoges artwork.
23
Angel with the sponge and lance, two instruments of the Passion of Christ, detail of an altarpiece with the Resurrection, Limoges artwork.
24
The Resurrection, central panel of an altarpiece.
25
Portrait of a Man (Antoine de Bourbon?)1560 · The Frick Collection
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
#21 The Crucifixion, central panel of an altarpiece.
#22 Angel with the Cross and St Veronica's veil, detail of an altarpiece with the Resurrection, Limoges artwork.
#23 Angel with the sponge and lance, two instruments of the Passion of Christ, detail of an altarpiece with the Resurrection, Limoges artwork.
#24 The Resurrection, central panel of an altarpiece.
The 7 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Léonard Limousin | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Louvre |
Paris | 5 | Crucifixion, Portrait of Anne the Montmorency (detail), Portrait of Anne the Montmorency |
 The Frick Collection |
New York City | 4 | Odet de Coligny, cardinal of Châtillon, The Triumph of the Eucharist and the Catholic Faith, Portrait of a Man (Guillaume Farel?) |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 1 | Henri d'Albret (1503–55), King of Navarre |
 Cleveland Museum of Art |
Cleveland | 1 | Preachment |
 Taft Museum of Art |
Cincinnati | 1 | Plaque with Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Châtillon |
 Musée de l'Évèché |
Limoges | 1 | Portrait of Galiot de Genouillac |
 Musée des Beaux-Arts |
Chartres | 1 | St John |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
In the quiet elegance of the French Renaissance, few objects capture the intersection of courtly sophistication and tactile artistry as exquisitely as the Tric-Trac Board by the legendary enameller Léonard Limosin. Created in 1537, this is not merely a functional game board for an early form of backgammon; it is a profound statement of status, craftsmanship, and the refined leisure of the Valois court. At first glance, the viewer is…
Created in 1553, the Crucifixion by Léonard Limousin represents a significant achievement in High Renaissance enamel painting. This work was commissioned for the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, a setting that underscores the religious devotion of the era. As the central panel of an altarpiece, it was designed to anchor a larger theological narrative during a period of profound religious upheaval.
In the intimate scale of this exquisite enamel plaque, we encounter the commanding presence of Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Châtillon. Created in 1567 by the master Léonard Limosin, this work serves as more than a mere portrait; it is a window into the profound dignity of the French Renaissance. The subject gazates outward with a gaze that is both piercing and contemplative, his features rendered with such precision that…
Crucifixion (1553), The Louvre, Paris. Henri d'Albret (1503–55), King of Navarre (1556) and Preachment (1500) come next.
48 years old: Crucifixion dates from 1553, and Léonard Limousin was born in 1505.
Crucifixion, Henri d'Albret (1503–55), King of Navarre, Preachment, Odet de Coligny, cardinal of Châtillon, Henri d'Albret, Francis, Duke of Guise, Portrait of Anne the Montmorency (detail), Portrait of Anne the Montmorency, Tric-Trac Board and Plaque with Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Châtillon. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 26 works by Léonard Limousin, dated from 1537 to 1567.
Mostly in The Louvre (Paris), The Frick Collection (New York City) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1550s: 7 of the 25 works on this page were made then, Crucifixion among them.
On this page, the earliest is Tric-Trac Board (1537) and the latest Plaque with Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Châtillon (1567).
Man (4), Portrait (4) and Arts (4), across the 25 works on this page.
Enamel, for 9 of the 25 works on this page.
Renaissance, judging by the originals on this page.
Crucifixion, Portrait of Anne the Montmorency (detail) and Portrait of Anne the Montmorency: the The Louvre, Paris holds 5 of the works on this page.
