Who painted Chancellor Michel Le Tellier?

Chancellor Michel Le Tellier was painted by Robert Nanteuil in 1678.

Where can I see Chancellor Michel Le Tellier?

Chancellor Michel Le Tellier is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Chancellor Michel Le Tellier?

Chancellor Michel Le Tellier is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Chancellor Michel Le Tellier

Robert Nanteuil , 1678

Chancellor Michel Le Tellier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1678 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

A decorative collar and a dark robe with a visible lace cuff frame the figure, while a simple curved border encloses the composition.

Robert Nanteuil’s 1678 engraving presents Chancellor Michel Le Tellier, a senior minister of Louis XIV’s government. Executed in black‑and‑white, the image concentrates on the chancellor’s face, rendered with precise lines that model his curly hair, moustache and solemn expression. A decorative collar and a dark robe with a visible lace cuff frame the figure, while a simple curved border encloses the composition.

Subject & Meaning

Michel Le Tellier, who held the office of Chancellor of France during the reign of the Sun King, is depicted here in the formal attire appropriate to his rank. The portrait emphasizes his authority and gravitas through the restrained pose and the careful rendering of his dignified features, reflecting the political stature he occupied in the late‑seventeenth‑century French state.

Technique & Style

Nanteuil employs the engraving technique, using incised lines to generate tonal variation and texture. Fine hatching defines the hair and the intricate detailing of the lace cuff, while broader strokes suggest the folds of the robe. The artist’s mastery of line work creates a subtle modeling of light and shadow, typical of his court portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1678, the print was produced for circulation among the royal court and its affiliates, serving both as a record of Le Tellier’s official image and as a demonstration of Nanteuil’s reputation as a leading court engraver. The work has since been catalogued in collections of French Baroque prints and remains a primary visual source for the chancellor’s appearance.

Artist & collection

Artist

Robert Nanteuil

Robert Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 1623 – 9 December 1678) was a French portrait artist: engraver, draughtsman and pastellist to the court of Louis XIV.