Jean Fouquet was born in Tours in 1420.

Of his life little is known. His importance as a painter was only realized when his portraits and altarpieces were for the first time brought together from various parts of Europe, at the exhibition of the French Primitives held at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Far more numerous than his paintings are his illuminated books and miniatures. He was court painter to Louis XI.

Jean Fouquet died in the year 1481.