A Florentine at the Court of France: The Life and Art of Luca Penni Luca Penni, a name perhaps less immediately recognizable than his Renaissance contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a fascinating position in the artistic landscape of 16th-century Europe. Born around 1500 in Florence, Italy—a city already steeped in artistic grandeur—Penni’s career unfolded against a backdrop of shifting patronage and evolving styles, ultimately leading him to become a key figure within the First School of Fontainebleau. His story is one of familial talent, rigorous training, and a successful transplantatio…