Who painted Henry IV?

Henry IV was painted by Jean Morin in 1625.

Where can I see Henry IV?

Henry IV is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Henry IV?

Henry IV is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Henry IV

Jean Morin , 1625

Henry IV is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Morin. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1625, this portrait of Henry IV is a print that combines etching, engraving and stippling on laid paper. French printmaker Jean Morin, active in the early seventeenth century, employed the three techniques on a single plate to render a detailed likeness of the French monarch. The work exemplifies the Baroque interest in realistic representation and technical experimentation.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows a man with short, curled hair and a moustache, dressed in a dark jacket with a high collar and a light sash across the chest. His gaze turns toward the right, lending a sense of engagement. As a portrait of Henry IV, it reflects the monarch’s political stature and the period’s practice of commemorating rulers through finely rendered prints.

Technique & Style

Morin’s plate merges the fluid lines of etching with the crisp incisions of engraving, while stippling supplies delicate tonal variation.

Morin’s plate merges the fluid lines of etching with the crisp incisions of engraving, while stippling supplies delicate tonal variation. The fine cross‑hatching and stippled dots create subtle shading that models the facial features and fabric, producing a three‑dimensional effect against a uniformly colored background. The texture of the laid paper contributes a faint pattern that enhances the overall depth.

History & Provenance

Jean Morin, known chiefly for his printmaking, was recognized in his lifetime for blending etching and engraving on a single matrix—a notable innovation of the Baroque era. The portrait entered collections of French royal portraiture and has been cited in scholarly works on early modern print techniques, illustrating Morin’s contribution to the development of mixed‑media printmaking.