Artwork
Gilles Blondeau
Gilles Blondeau is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The background is plain, but the face is framed by a round border with a textured pattern outside it.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a mustache. He’s wearing a dark collar with a lace trim at the neck. The background is plain, but the face is framed by a round border with a textured pattern outside it.
At the bottom, there’s a small shield with a coat of arms and some fancy scrollwork. The artist’s name and the year 1653 are written near the bottom corners.
This is an example of engraving, where lines are carved into a metal plate to create the image.
Overview
Gilles Blondeau is a 1653 engraving by Robert Nanteuil, a French artist who worked as an engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist for Louis XIV's court.
Subject & Meaning
The print is a portrait of a man, identified by a coat of arms at the bottom, featuring Gilles Blondeau. The subject is depicted with curly hair and a mustache, wearing a dark collar with lace trim.
Technique & Style
The image was created through engraving, a process where lines are carved into a metal plate. Nanteuil's work is characterized by refined portraiture, reflecting his skill in producing detailed prints for elite patrons.
History & Provenance
Created in 1653, Gilles Blondeau exemplifies Nanteuil's role in producing portrait prints for royal and elite patrons during the mid-17th century.
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.
