Note 24 — Chapter I · The History of the “Ambassadors” from 1533 to 1654

“[Remarks on the subject of an excellent picture of the Sieur d’Inteville Polizy, and George de Selve, Bishop of Lavour, showing the offices they held, and the time of their decease.

“In this picture is represented, life-size, Messire Jean de Dintevile chevalier Sieur de Polizy, near Bar-sur-Seyne, Bailly of Troyes, who was Ambassador in England for King Francis I. in the years 1532 [O.S.] and 1533 and since Governour of Monsieur Charles de France, second son (sic) of the said King; the same Charles died at Forest Monstier in the year 1545, and the said Sr. de Dintevile in the year 1555. Interred in the Church of the said Polizy. There is also represented in the said picture, Messire George de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur, a personage of great learning and virtue, who was Ambassador with the Emperor Charles V.; the said Bishop was the son of Messire Jean de Selve, Premier President of the Parliament of Paris; the said Bishop died in 1541, having in the above-mentioned year 1532, or 1533, gone to England by permission of the King, to visit the said Sieur de Dintevile, his intimate friend, and also of all his family; and they two having met in England an excellent Dutch painter, employed him to make this picture, which was carefully preserved at the said place, Polizy, up to the year 1653.”

This document is now the property of the Trustees of the National Gallery.]