Artwork
Chancellor Michel Le Tellier
Chancellor Michel Le Tellier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The background is plain, but the edges of the oval frame are filled with tight, crisscrossed lines that create texture.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a mustache, dressed in a high-collared coat. His face is serious, and he’s holding a piece of paper in one hand. The background is plain, but the edges of the oval frame are filled with tight, crisscrossed lines that create texture.
The small crest below the portrait has a shield and wreath—likely a family symbol. The artist’s name, *Nanteuil*, is written at the bottom, along with the year *1658*.
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Overview
Chancellor Michel Le Tellier is a 1658 engraving by Robert Nanteuil, a French artist known for his portraits and work as court engraver to Louis XIV.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Michel Le Tellier, a prominent chancellor under Louis XIV, in a formal oval frame. He is shown with a serious expression, holding a document, and wearing formal attire. A small crest below the portrait likely represents his family symbol.
Technique & Style
The engraving is executed in black and white, with the subject set against a plain background. The frame's edges feature dense, cross-hatched lines that create texture. Nanteuil's name and the date are inscribed at the bottom.
History & Provenance
Created in 1658, this work dates to the height of Nanteuil's career in the mid-17th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 1623 – 9 December 1678) was a French portrait artist: engraver, draughtsman and pastellist to the court of Louis XIV.
