Artwork
Pierre Seguier
Pierre Seguier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Michel Lasne. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1635 engraving presents Pierre Séguier, a prominent French magistrate, in a finely detailed portrait.
About this work
Overview
This 1635 engraving presents Pierre Séguier, a prominent French magistrate, in a finely detailed portrait. Executed on laid paper, the image shows the subject in a dark jacket with a white collar, his curly hair and beard rendered with precision, set against a deep background that isolates his features.
Subject & Meaning
Pierre Séguier, who held the chancellorship under both Louis XIII and Louis XIV, is depicted with a composed, forward‑looking gaze. The portrait emphasizes his authority and intellectual stature through the careful rendering of his attire and the solemn expression on his face.
Technique & Style
Michel Lasne employed fine line work and cross‑hatching to model the textures of fabric, hair, and skin, creating a sense of volume on the flat surface. The engraving reflects Baroque sensibilities, balancing dramatic contrast with meticulous detail to convey both realism and gravitas.
History & Provenance
Born in Caen around 1590, Lasne trained in Antwerp under Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck before becoming the official engraver for King Louis XIII in 1633. This portrait, produced two years later, exemplifies his role in disseminating images of high‑ranking officials for royal and public audiences.
Context
The work belongs to a period when engravings served as a primary means of circulating likenesses of political figures across France. Lasne’s connection to leading Baroque painters and his royal appointment positioned him to create authoritative visual records of the kingdom’s elite.
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…
