Artwork
Charles Faure
Charles Faure is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Faure is an engraving by Robert Nanteuil, created in 1648 during his formative years in Paris, prior to his official appointment as portrait engraver to Louis XIV. This work exemplifies the French portrait engraving style of the mid-17th century.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving portrays Charles Faure, an individual associated with Nanteuil’s documented portrait output of the time, though specific details about Faure’s identity and significance are not provided. The depiction conveys a sense of solemnity through the subject’s serious expression and formal attire, including a high, stiff collar.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employed precise linework and refined tonal modeling through cross-hatching, a technique involving tiny intersecting lines to achieve depth and shading. The portrait is framed within an oval, accompanied by a text banner below, set against a plain background.
History & Provenance
Created in 1648, before Nanteuil’s appointment as official portrait engraver to Louis XIV, the work’s provenance details are not specified in available information.
Context
This engraving sits within the broader tradition of 17th-century French portrait engraving, characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and attention to capturing both likeness and social status.
Legacy
The enduring impact or specific legacy of *Charles Faure* within Nanteuil’s oeuvre or the broader art historical context is not detailed in the provided information.
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.
