Artwork
François de l'Hospital du Hallier
François de l'Hospital du Hallier 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 print, executed by Michel Lasne, presents a portrait of François de l'Hospital du Hallier. Rendered as an engraving on laid paper, the image isolates the sitter against an unadorned background, directing attention to his solemn expression and period attire. The work exemplifies early‑17th‑century French portraiture in the medium of print.
Subject & Meaning
François de l'Hospital du Hallier appears in a dignified pose, his face rendered with restrained lines that convey seriousness. The attire, characteristic of early modern French fashion, and the lack of decorative surroundings suggest an intention to emphasize personal stature rather than narrative context, typical of portrait engravings intended for circulation among elite circles.
Technique & Style
Lasne employed fine, controlled incisions on laid paper, a surface marked by parallel ribbing that influences the print's texture. The engraving relies on delicate hatching and cross‑hatching to model light and shadow, creating a subtle three‑dimensionality while maintaining a clear, linear clarity that reflects his training in the Flemish workshop tradition.
History & Provenance
Born in Caen around 1590, Michel Lasne apprenticed with Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck in Antwerp before returning to France.
Born in Caen around 1590, Michel Lasne apprenticed with Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck in Antwerp before returning to France. By 1633 he had been appointed official engraver to King Louis XIII, a testament to his reputation. The portrait of de l'Hospital, produced five years earlier, illustrates his early mastery and the network of patronage linking French nobility and the emerging print market.
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…
