A bust of Diane de Poitiers (1499-1566), a noblewoman and courtier, on display in the Bridge Gallery
She was best known as the mistress of the much younger King Henry II (1519-1547).
Château de Chenonceau was a gift to her from King Henry, much to the dislike of Henry's wife, Catherine de' Medici. After Henry died, Catherine forced Diane to move out of Chenonceau and reclaimed the Château as royal property.