Les Derniers Valois

The Last Valois
Kings of France

 
King Henri III

King Henri III in Court Dress


These are the controversial images of the king.  Note how the image in white dress has been shown from both side - I do not know if there were two identical (yet flipped images) or whether this is a photographic error from a single portrait

Except for the portrait en pied (full length portrait), they seem to predate the 1578 founding of the Order of the Saint-Esprit (he lacks the collar in the portraits). 

The portrait en pied, with the famous two tone red shoes, enormous ruff, mini cape and massive pearl necklace is owned by the Louvre, but no longer on display.  Obtaining a copy was nearly impossible and the one above is difficult to see, so, I have obtained an engraved copy thereof (lacking the correct red colored shoes) 

Yet, note how the King's basic clothing is very simple.  In modern day parlance, we would say he needs to lose some accessories but the suit is nice.  The red shoes were a theme taken up later by Louis XIV

Compare this to any one of Queen Elizabeth Tudor's outfits and it looks positively spare (alright, she was a woman and allowed more frills ...) then take a look at the Earl of Leicester who is no less ornamented than the king. 

Engraving from http://digital.nypl.org/mmpco/index.cfm

 

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