Artwork
Charles, Duc de Chaulnes
Charles, Duc de Chaulnes is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1676 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1676, this print is an engraved portrait of Charles d’Albert d’Ailly, who held the title Duke of Chaulnes.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1676, this print is an engraved portrait of Charles d’Albert d’Ailly, who held the title Duke of Chaulnes. Executed by Robert Nanteuil, a leading French engraver of the late seventeenth century, the work exemplifies the courtly portraiture that circulated among the aristocracy of Louis XIV’s reign.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears solemn, his gaze directed outward, embodying the dignified bearing expected of a high noble. He is dressed in contemporary attire—a powdered wig, a richly draped cloak, and formal garments—that signals his status and the conventions of French courtly representation during the era.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employs a network of fine, parallel lines to render textures, from the sheen of the fabric to the subtle modeling of the face. The precision of the incisions creates a delicate gradation of tone, allowing depth and realism within the constraints of the engraving medium, a hallmark of his meticulous approach.
History & Provenance
The portrait was produced while Nanteuil served as engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist to the royal household, a position that granted him access to prominent patrons. The print likely circulated among the duke’s family and court circles, contributing to the visual documentation of France’s high nobility in the late 1600s.
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.
