Artwork
Charles-Paris d'Orléans-Longueville, Comte de Saint-Pol
Charles-Paris d'Orléans-Longueville, Comte de Saint-Pol is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1660 copper engraving presents Charles‑Paris d’Orléans‑Longueville, the Count of Saint‑Pol, in a composed, formal pose.
About this work
Overview
The composition balances the figure’s elaborate costume with a restrained background, focusing attention on his facial expression and status.
This 1660 copper engraving presents Charles‑Paris d’Orléans‑Longueville, the Count of Saint‑Pol, in a composed, formal pose. Rendered in black and white, the image emphasizes the sitter’s dignified bearing through meticulous line work, characteristic of mid‑seventeenth‑century French portraiture. The composition balances the figure’s elaborate costume with a restrained background, focusing attention on his facial expression and status.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures the Count of Saint‑Pol, a member of the French aristocracy, displaying the gravitas expected of a courtly official. His stern gaze and upright posture convey authority and loyalty, reflecting the social expectations of noble representation during the reign of Louis XIV. The attire—a hat, cloak, and ornamental details—signals his rank and affiliation with the royal court.
Technique & Style
Executed by the court engraver Robert Nanteuil, the work demonstrates the high level of precision achievable in intaglio engraving. Fine hatching and cross‑hatching create subtle tonal variations, while the crisp outlines define the clothing and facial features. Nanteuil’s approach blends realistic observation with the stylized conventions of French portraiture, achieving a balance between likeness and idealized presentation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1660, the engraving was produced under the patronage of Louis XIV’s court, where Nanteuil served as the official engraver. The print likely circulated among the aristocracy as a means of disseminating the Count’s image. Over time it entered museum collections, preserving both the likeness of the Count and an example of Nanteuil’s influential role in shaping French portrait engraving.
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.
