Artwork
Charles-Maurice Le Tellier
Charles-Maurice Le Tellier is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This mid‑17th‑century French engraving presents a seated male figure rendered in fine line work.
About this work
Overview
This mid‑17th‑century French engraving presents a seated male figure rendered in fine line work. He wears a dark robe trimmed with a white collar, his hair falling to the shoulders, and gazes directly at the viewer with a composed, neutral expression against a uniform background.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Charles‑Maurice Le Tellier, a high‑ranking official whose attire suggests clerical or courtly status. The straightforward pose and unembellished setting emphasize his authority and dignified bearing, typical of official portraiture intended for public or institutional display.
Technique & Style
Executed by Robert Nanteuil, the print demonstrates the precise engraving methods characteristic of French court portraiture in the 1660s. Delicate hatching and cross‑hatching create subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving the fabric and facial features a three‑dimensional quality while maintaining a crisp, controlled line.
History & Provenance
Nanteuil, a prominent portraitist for Louis XIV’s court, produced this image in 1663. The work belongs to the broader tradition of royal and aristocratic prints that circulated among elite circles, serving both as a record of status and as a means of disseminating the likeness of notable figures across the kingdom.
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.
