Originally from Vrana in Venetian Dalmatia (now Croatia), Francesco Laurana (circa 1430-1502) travelled through several regions of Italy. Established in Naples, in the service of King Alfonso V of Aragon, he was finally called to France in 1458 by Duke René d'Anjou, who was also Count of Provence and King of Naples. Working in Marseille and then Avignon, the artist played a significant role in introducing Italian Renaissance art to France.

Laurana's work is best known for his depictions of young aristocratic women in bust form, with fine, delicate, idealised features. He was also responsible for designing architectural projects, medals, tombs and a number of religious sculptures, in particular Madonna and Child.

But there is one enigma in this sculptor's output: he is credited with a series of female masks in marble, which for the time being remain uninterpreted. Quite similar, these faces are appliqué sculptures intended to be combined with other elements to create more complete effigies.

Examples of these pieces can be found in the museums of Le Puy, Bourges, Chambéry and Aix-en-Provence, but what are these "portraits"? Various explanations have been put forward, but none has yet won the definitive approval of researchers...

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