Artwork
Henri IV, King of France
Henri IV, King of France is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pierre Landry. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pierre Landry’s 1662 engraving presents a portrait of Henri IV, King of France. Rendered in black ink on laid paper, the image shows the monarch in a solemn pose, his gaze fixed forward. The composition is framed by a uniform dark background, emphasizing the figure’s dignified presence.
Subject & Meaning
The king is depicted with a full beard, mustache, and a laurel wreath, symbols traditionally associated with victory and authority. He wears a dark high‑collared shirt, a white sash across his chest, and a jacket trimmed with metal studs on the shoulders, attire that conveys both regal status and martial readiness.
Technique & Style
Landry employed the engraving technique, incising lines into a copper plate to produce fine, controlled strokes on the laid paper. The contrast between the dense black background and the crisp detailing of the facial features and clothing demonstrates the artist’s skill in rendering texture and depth through line work.
History & Provenance
Created in 1662, the print dates from the early reign of Louis XIV, a period when images of earlier monarchs were circulated to reinforce dynastic continuity. The work is attributed to Pierre Landry, a French engraver active in the mid‑17th century, though further details of its original ownership remain undocumented.
Artist & collection
Ernest Casimir, Count of Nassau-Dietz
Louis de Marillac, Duke of Beaufort
Hendrik Matthias, Count of Thurn and Taxis
William, Earl of Pembroke
Charles, Count of Bucquoy
Jacques de la Force
William Louis, Count of Nassau-Beilstein
Philip William, Prince of Orange
Cardinal Jules Mazarin
Willem Lodewyk, Count of Nassau
Henry II, Duke of Montmorency
Henry IV