Diane's Coronation Portrait

I have been receiving emails, asking about the portrait of Diane I used for my web site and also for the cover of "A Portrait in Black and White."

She was painted in 1547 in the gown she wore for Henri's coronation. It is made of black velvet, covered in gold and silver embroidery and studded with pearls. The neckline was wide and square, and a strand of pearls ran from one shoulder to the other. The diamond crescent moon in her hair was a symbol that she shared with Henri, and she wore pearl drop earrings.

The portrait now hangs in the Château de Chaumont.