Artwork
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Michel Lasne. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1628 engraving on laid paper portrays Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu, a significant figure in 17th-century France.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Richelieu seated, adorned in elaborate robes, with a staff in hand and two kneeling figures behind him, possibly representing assistants or allegorical figures, set against a somber backdrop of heavy curtains and dark walls.
Technique & Style
The artist, Michel Lasne, employed fine lines and shading to capture the textures of fabric and the details of faces, characteristic of his skill as an engraver.
History & Provenance
Lasne, trained under notable artists like Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, worked as an official engraver to King Louis XIII from 1633, reflecting his prominence in the Parisian art scene by the early 17th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Michel Lasne (Caen, ca. 1590–4 December 1667, Paris), was a French engraver, draughtsman and collector. Lasne was born in Caen and was the son of a goldsmith. He was a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp for…
