Artwork
Claudius de Saint-Simon, Prince-Evêque de Metz
Claudius de Saint-Simon, Prince-Evêque de Metz is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Daullé. It dates from 1744 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean Daullé’s 1744 engraving portrays Claudius de Saint‑Simon, Prince‑Bishop of Metz, seated in an upholstered chair. He rests his left hand on an open book, wears a prominent cross, and his curly hair frames a dignified expression. The composition is set against a backdrop that includes a draped curtain, a decorative tassel, and a mantel‑mounted clock.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait emphasizes the ecclesiastical rank and aristocratic status of Saint‑Simon through sumptuous dress and the visible cross. The inclusion of a timepiece alongside the book may allude to the temporal responsibilities of a prince‑bishop and the fleeting nature of earthly authority.
Technique & Style
Daullé employs fine line engraving on laid paper, achieving a high degree of realism through meticulous hatching and cross‑hatching. The rendering of textures—fabric, metal, and wood—demonstrates the artist’s skill in creating depth and materiality within the constraints of the print medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1744, the print reflects Daullé’s active period in Paris, where he was known for portrait engravings of high‑ranking clerics and nobles. The work has circulated among collectors of French 18th‑century prints and is documented in several museum catalogues of the period.
Artist & collection
Cardinal de Polignac
André Hercules, Cardinal de Fleury
Monseigneur Louis-Charles d'Orléans de Saint-Albin, Archbishop of Cambrai
Sericulture (The Process of Making Silk)
Cardinal Dubois
André Hercules, Cardinal de Fleury
Charles-Gaspard-Guillaume de Vintimille du Luc, Archbishop of Paris
Jean-Baptiste Santeuil
Charles-Rene d'Hozier
Vondel
Pierre Mignard
Nicolas Coustou