Artwork
Jacques Auguste de Thou
Jacques Auguste de Thou 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
This 1625 print by Jean Morin portrays Jacques Auguste de Thou in an oval portrait. Executed in etching, engraving, and stippling on laid paper, the work showcases Morin's innovative combination of techniques.
Subject & Meaning
Jacques Auguste de Thou, depicted with a serious, contemplative expression, is dressed in a dark, fur-trimmed coat and ruffled collar, conveying elegance and solemnity. His gaze, directed to the right and slightly afar, suggests introspection.
Technique & Style
Morin's integration of etching, engraving, and stippling achieves a nuanced, detailed image. The mottled gray background, achieved through stippling, contrasts with the sharper lines of the subject, exemplifying early 17th-century French printmaking innovations.
History & Provenance
Created in 1625 by Jean Morin, a French printmaker and painter known for technical advancements in combining etching and engraving. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
The portrait reflects the Baroque style's emphasis on dramatic elements, though here tempered by the subject's restrained demeanor. The combination of techniques aligns with the period's printmaking advancements in France.
Legacy
As a representation of Morin's technical skill and a portrait of de Thou, the work contributes to the historical record of both the artist's innovations and the subject's likeness in early 17th-century France.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Morin (c.1595 or 1605 – 1650) was a French baroque painter, printmaker, painter, etcher, engraver and publisher.
