Artwork
Charles-Maurice Le Tellier
Charles-Maurice Le Tellier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1672 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The print is a 1672 engraving by Robert Nanteuil, depicting Charles‑Maurice Le Tellier, the Archbishop of Reims. Executed in black and white, the portrait shows a dignified figure with curled hair, a sober expression, and attire that includes a dark collar over a white shirt with lace‑trimmed cuffs. The composition is framed by a modest oval border that recedes into faint decorative lines.
Subject & Meaning
Le Tellier, a leading cleric of the French kingdom, is presented in a formal pose that emphasizes his ecclesiastical rank and his connection to the royal court. The restrained demeanor and careful rendering of facial features convey both his authority within the church hierarchy and the decorum expected of a high‑ranking official in Louis XIV’s milieu.
Technique & Style
The engraving was cut into a metal plate, allowing for multiple impressions while preserving the delicate texture of the original drawing.
Nanteuil employed a fine, controlled line technique characteristic of his work, using densely packed hatching to model light and shadow across the face and clothing. The engraving was cut into a metal plate, allowing for multiple impressions while preserving the delicate texture of the original drawing. The subtle gradations achieved through tiny parallel lines give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality despite its monochrome medium.
History & Provenance
Created during Nanteuil’s tenure as official engraver to the Sun King, the portrait reflects the artist’s role in documenting the prominent personalities of the French court. The print was likely circulated among aristocratic patrons and may have served as a visual record of Le Tellier’s status. Surviving copies are found in several European collections, attesting to its continued relevance as a historical document of 17th‑century French ecclesiastical portraiture.
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.
