Details: CKFRA.5949US3A Francis I

The reign of Francis I is considered part of the first period in the development of French Renaissance and can be called the Italian Period of ornament which belongs primarily to the area of Lombardy. Buildings are still designed in a gothic manner but dressed in renaissance style. Examples can be found in the castles of the Loire Valley. The style is full of ornamental sculptures highly influenced by Italian artists but nonetheless adjusted into the French manner. Arabesque and grotesque decorative motifs are used during the entire French Renaissance period. The emblems of the king like the Salamander and the letter F are constantly present in the designs as well as floral motifs that come out of human shapes and turn into letter forms, In this period there is an abundance of decoration, low and high relief are clearly defined and become deeply carved.