The Flamboyant Gothic style, as the last major period of Gothic art and architecture comes to be called, has finally been superseded by the Mannerist style, which had originated in Rome but had quickly spread, in the work of Giulio Romano and Perino De Vaga, throughout Italy.

Il Rosso Fiorentino, who had left Rome in 1530 to work at the Chateau de Fontainebleau, had carried the style to France, and together with his Bolognese assistant, Francesco Primaticcio, has introduced Mannerist idioms to France and Northern Europe through the paintings, frescoes, and ornamental stuccowork they have created.

Because works by all these artists are disseminated through engravings, Mannerism becomes a European phenomenon by 1540.

Rosso dies by his own hand (according to according to an unsubstantiated claim by Giorgio Vasari, his biographer) at forty-five on November 14, 1540.

Primaticcio, an architect, decorator, painter, and stuccoist who had studied under Gulio Romano, takes control of the artistic direction at Fontainebleau, furnishing the painters and stuccators of his team, such as Niccolò dell'Abbate, with designs.

Leonard Limosin, or Limousin, who had executed enamels for Francis I, had been appointed royal enameler to his son and successor, Henry II, in 1548.

For both these monarchs, he has has executed many portraits in enamel—among them quite a number of plaques depicting Diane de Poitiers in various characters, plates, vases, ewers, and cups, besides decorative works for the royal palaces, for, though he is best known as an enameler distinguished for rich color, and for graceful designs in grisaille on black or bright blue backgrounds, he also enjoys a great reputation as an oil-painter.

Limousin collaborates with the Italian Mannerist painter Niccolò dell'Abbate in executing a crucifixion altarpiece for Sainte Chapelle in Paris, which depicts Henry and his queen, Catherine de' Medici, as donors.

Limousin specializes in portraits and executes many for members of the Parisian court.

His elegant and mannered style of portraiture, acquired from dell'Abbate and other artists employed in decorating the royal palace at Fontainebleau, features elongated forms framed with jewel-like decorative motifs to suit the sophisticated tastes of his patrons.

He combines a number of enameling techniques, using opaque enamels, gilding, and grisaille, to achieve rich and elaborate effects.

In addition to court portraits, Limousin enamels various objects, including candlesticks, inkstands, goblets, and chess pieces.