André Hercules, Cardinal de Fleury

The image portrays the cardinal in solemn pose, his robes rendered with precise folds that emphasize his authority within the church hierarchy. The serious expression and dignified bearing convey the gravitas associated with his political and religious role during the reign of Louis XV.

Drevet employed line engraving, a labor‑intensive process that incises fine, parallel lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto laid paper. The technique allows for delicate rendering of textures—particularly the intricate detailing of fabric and ornamental elements—characteristic of French portrait engravers of the period.

Created in 1730, the print reflects the Drevet family’s long‑standing reputation as premier portrait engravers in France, a lineage that spanned more than a century. The work likely served both as a means of disseminating the cardinal’s likeness and as a collectible item for connoisseurs of contemporary portraiture.

During the early 1700s, engraving functioned as the principal method for reproducing and circulating images of notable figures. Drevet’s portrait of Cardinal de Fleury fits within this practice, providing a visual counterpart to painted portraits and reinforcing the cardinal’s public presence across the kingdom.