Artwork
François La Rochefoucauld
François La Rochefoucauld 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. This 1628 engraving presents the French nobleman François de La Rochefoucad, rendered in black and white on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
This 1628 engraving presents the French nobleman François de La Rochefoucad, rendered in black and white on laid paper. The portrait shows an older gentleman with a beard, curly hair, a ruffled collar, and a chain around his neck, set against a simple oval backdrop. The image is executed with fine, closely spaced lines that model the facial features and give a subtle sense of depth.
Subject & Meaning
François de La Rochefoucad, known for his memoirs and moral maxims, is depicted in a dignified pose that reflects his status as a writer and aristocrat. The inclusion of a chain, possibly a medal or key, hints at his official rank or honors, while the plain background focuses attention on his expression and attire, underscoring his personal gravitas.
Technique & Style
The engraver employed a dense network of delicate lines to build tonal variation, especially across the hair and face, creating a three-dimensional effect. This line work, characteristic of early 17th‑century portrait engravings, emphasizes texture and shadow without relying on hatching or cross‑hatching, resulting in a nuanced, almost sculptural rendering.
History & Provenance
Created by Michel Lasne, a French engraver who trained in Antwerp under Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, the print reflects his early Parisian period before his appointment as official engraver to Louis XIII in 1633. Lasne’s career trajectory from Caen to the French court situates the work within the broader network of Baroque printmaking.
Context
The portrait emerges at a time when engraved likenesses served both commemorative and disseminative functions, allowing the likeness of notable figures like La Rochefoucad to circulate among literate elites. Such prints complemented manuscript and printed texts, reinforcing the author’s public image within the cultural milieu of early‑modern France.
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…
