Artwork
Portrait of Jaque Lenfant, minister in Berlin

Portrait of Jaque Lenfant, minister in Berlin is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jacob Gole. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait of Jaque Lenfant, identified by an inscription that records his name, his office as minister of the Saint Evangelist in Berlin, and his age of forty‑seven at the time of execution. The sitter is presented seated, facing the viewer with a composed, serious expression, dressed in attire that suggests an earlier historical period.
Subject & Meaning
Lenfant is portrayed as a dignified cleric, his direct gaze and restrained demeanor conveying the authority and solemnity associated with his ecclesiastical role. The inclusion of his age in the lower inscription adds a personal dimension, anchoring the image in a specific moment of his life and underscoring the portrait’s function as a commemorative record.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a subtle gradation of tones reminiscent of the sfumato method, softening edges and creating a gentle atmospheric depth around the figure. This approach lends the portrait a muted realism, allowing the facial features and fabric textures to emerge with quiet nuance rather than sharp delineation.
History & Provenance
No documented ownership trail accompanies the image, and the original medium is listed simply as an image, suggesting it may be a reproduction or a digitized version of an earlier painted work. The inscription’s French language and reference to Berlin indicate a cross‑cultural context, but further archival research would be required to trace its creation and subsequent custody.
Artist & collection









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