A Polymath of the French Renaissance
Jean Cousin, often referred to as Jean Cousin the Elder to distinguish him from his son, was a versatile French artist, sculptor, etcher, engraver, and geometrician. Born in Soucy, near Sens, his early career was defined by the study of glass-painting under Jean Hympe and Grassot. During his student days, he demonstrated a profound interest in mathematics and geometry, eventually publishing a successful book on the subject. His artistic journey took him from the windows of Sens Cathedral, where he depicted the Legend of St. Eutropius, to the noble châteaux of the region. By 1530, his work led him to Paris, where he served as a goldsmith and continued his mastery of glass-painting, notably creating the windows for the Sainte-Chapelle in Vincennes.
Mastery of Diverse Mediums
Cousin’s creative output spanned a remarkable array of disciplines. He is noted for his work in oil painting, and his piece The Last Judgment was once considered the first French picture to be engraved. As an illustrator, he provided designs for woodcuts, including works for the Bible, the Metamorphoses, and the Epistles of Ovid. His skill extended to etching and engraving, as seen in his Annunciation and the Conversion of St. Paul. Beyond two-dimensional art, he was a sculptor, thought to have created the mausoleum of Admiral Philippe de Chabot. Throughout his life, he enjoyed the favor of four French kings: Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III.
