(b c. 1510; d Paris, 15 Oct 1573). Illuminator, painter, designer and etcher. He worked for Francis I, Henry II and Catherine de’ Medici. Among his most remarkable works is the frontispiece to the Registre du Chartrier de l’hospice général de Rouen (Rouen, Bib. Mun.). In 1549 the Chronologia inclytae urbis Rothonogensis cited him as the most famous Rouennais painter. He appears to have run the most important illumination studio in the town, and the 60 miniatures of the illuminated manuscript Chants royaux (Paris, Bib. N.) were executed under his direction. He is mentioned in the royal accounts from 1537 to 1540 and worked during this period at the château of Fontainebleau under the direction of Rosso Fiorentino. In about 1545 he was in Rouen and executed designs for stained-glass windows; he must also have been the designer of stained-glass windows at the church of St Acceul at Ecouen, near Paris, as well as those of the chapel of the château, and of the ceramic floor by the potter Masséot Abaquene ( fl 1528; d before 1564). A number of his drawings survive (e.g. Paris, Louvre and Ecole N. Sup. B.-A.). Twenty-six etchings, mostly of New Testament subjects, are attributed to Geoffroy; two are dated 1543 and 1547 respectively. Like his other graphic works they are bold in technique and effect; his expressive refinements and the sharp profiles of his characters reveal the influence of Rosso and of Antonio Fantuzzi. In 1570 he is mentioned as a master painter in Paris.

Part of the Dumonstier family

• Dumonstier, Geoffroy
  • Dumonstier
  • Fontainebleau school, §2(ii): First Fontainebleau school: Role of printmaking