Artwork
Michel de Marillac
Michel de Marillac 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 presents Michel de Marillac, a prominent French statesman and jurist of the early seventeenth century. Executed by Michel Lasne, the image captures the subject in a solemn pose, emphasizing his seniority and official stature.
Subject & Meaning
Marillac is shown with a long white beard and hair, dressed in a dark robe trimmed with a white collar and topped by a black cap. His down‑cast gaze and the finely rendered facial lines suggest contemplation and the gravitas associated with his legal and political responsibilities.
Technique & Style
Lasne employs delicate cross‑hatching to model the features and fabric, creating subtle tonal variations that give the portrait depth. The dark, textured background, reminiscent of a draped tapestry, isolates the figure and enhances the contrast between light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Born in Caen around 1590, Michel Lasne trained in Antwerp under Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck before settling in Paris by 1621. He later became the official engraver for King Louis XIII in 1633, a position that formalized his role in producing state portraits such as this one.
Context
The engraving reflects the early‑modern French practice of disseminating official likenesses through prints, allowing a wider audience to recognize key political figures. Its production coincides with a period when portraiture served both documentary and propagandistic functions within the royal administration.
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…
