Artwork
Jacques de la Force
Jacques de la Force is an ink print by the Baroque artist Balthasar Moncornet. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1634, this oval-shaped engraving presents a gentleman rendered in a formal portrait manner typical of early‑modern French printmaking. Executed on laid paper, the image centers a man with a moustache, flowing hair, a lace collar, and a dark coat accented by a white sash, set against a somber backdrop that hints at a tumultuous scene beyond his shoulders.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Jacques de la Force, is portrayed with dignified attire that signals his social standing. The inclusion of a chaotic, battle‑like tableau in the background may allude to his martial associations or to contemporary events, offering a subtle narrative layer that complements the straightforward likeness.
Technique & Style
The print relies on fine cross‑hatching to model surfaces, creating texture in the lace, fabric, and hair while establishing depth through chiaroscuro. Moncornet’s handling of light and shadow imparts a three‑dimensional quality to the face and garments, aligning the work with the portrait conventions of seventeenth‑century France.
History & Provenance
Balthasar Moncornet, a French painter and engraver active in the early 1600s, produced the image as part of a series that documented roughly forty‑five notable contemporaries. The engraving was likely circulated among the educated elite, serving both as a record of prominent individuals and as a demonstration of Moncornet’s skill in portraiture.
Context
During the 1630s, French portraiture emphasized clear identification and status, often employing restrained compositions and detailed rendering of dress. Moncornet’s work reflects these trends, while the printed medium allowed broader dissemination than painted portraits, contributing to the visual culture of the French court and its surrounding aristocracy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Moncornet (1600, Rouen – 1668, Paris) was a French painter, engraver, and tapissier revered for his depictions of around 45 different prominent figures of the 17th century.
