( fl c. 1575–88). Medallist, probably of Italian origin, active in France. Although both his name and the style of his work are Italian, all Primavera’s known medals seem to have been made in France. His sitters included the poets Jean Dorat, Philippe Desportes, Jean-Antoine de Baif, Pierre de Ronsard and Caye Jules de Guersens, as well as Catherine de’ Medici, Elizabeth I of England, Mary Queen of Scots, François, Duke of Anjou, Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, and Charles of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne (e.g. Paris, Bib. N., Cab. Médailles). These portraits are very similar to those made by Primavera’s contemporaries in Italy, but they differ in that they lack reverses. It is uncertain whether this reflects difficulties that Primavera encountered in introducing the Italian concept of personal medallic portraiture into France or whether it is the result of his own limitations. It is significant, however, that portrait medals with reverses did not become popular in France until 15 years after Primavera had ceased work.