On June 1 – 16, 2011, Margarita Siourina presented 2 works from Series France: OLD HOUSE IN NORMANDY. DWARFS, and CLOS-LUCE. LEONARDO at ART BRIDGE exhibition named FRANCE. DECLARATION OF LOVE at the Council of Federation in Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street in Moscow.
We think it appropriate today to recall the story of Cloux Castle and LEONARDO DA VINCHI, a rare but remarkable example of friendship between an ARTIST and a SOVEREIGN…
Le Clos Lucé (the Fortress of Light) is a medieval fortified manor in the valley of the Loire not far from Chateau D`Amboise – one of the Royal residences in France.
Clos-Lucé. Leonardo. 1996
Oil on canvas. 60 × 90 cm
author’s collection
The Royal family owned Cloux Castle since Charles VIII the Affable; here LEONARDO DA VINCHI spent the last years of his life since 1516 through 1519, when invited to France by young king Francois I.
And things were this way…
Pope Leo X (born Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici) was extremely concerned with active progress of French troops in Lombardy and asked Francois I for a meeting in Bologna. The Head of Vatican appeared in front of the young king in all his splendour, amidst his court, men of science and great artists.
Francois Premier could not boast of anything like that…
When Leo X introduced Leonardo da Vinchi to the king, the monarch addressed the master:
- Oh Leonardo, father of mine! – and bowed slightly…
Everyone was amazed by the royal gesture…
Francois Premier invited Leonardo to go with him to France and promised his protection asking nothing in return:
- I would be happy just to talk with you from time to time…
Aged Leonardo was touched with such attitude. He agreed.
Cloux Castle belonged to King’s Mother, Louise of Savoy, and to King’s Sister, Marguerite de Navarre. The ladies both generously and in agreement placed the Castle at Leonardo’s disposal; actually, they suggested such a solution to the King. Francois regarded the artist with great reverence. He fixed an annual donation of 700 gold scudos and often called on Leonardo to indulge in wise discussions; Francois Premier was a wonderfully clever monarch…
The legend says, that Leonardo da Vinchi, the greatest Italian artist, inventor, and thinker died on May 2, 1519, with the great king of France Francois Premier beside him…
We do not know that for certain, but one thing is absolutely clear: it is due to remarkable wisdom of young Francois that a number of the best works of the Renaissance Genius (La Gioconda, John the Baptist and Saint Anne), and the ashes of Leonardo da Vinchi are located in France enhancing its heritage now, and not in Italy…