Artwork
Hardouin de Perefixe
Hardouin de Perefixe 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.
About this work
Overview
This 1663 engraving by Robert Nanteuil portrays Hardouin de Perefixe, Archbishop of Paris, highlighting the artist's association with the French royal court, particularly Louis XIV.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Hardouin de Perefixe, is depicted with a serious expression, adorned with a distinctive star-shaped pin and a fancy collar, symbolizing his ecclesiastical and possibly royal connections. The inclusion of his coat of arms below reinforces his identity and status.
Technique & Style
Executed in the characteristic refined style of mid-17th-century French printmaking, the engraving utilizes fine lines to achieve a three-dimensional effect, notably in the facial features, demonstrating Nanteuil's mastery of shading and texture through line work.
History & Provenance
As part of Nanteuil's commissioned works as a portrait engraver to Louis XIV, this piece was designed to circulate the image of key figures within the monarch's circle, though specific provenance details of this engraving are not provided.
Context
Created during the reign of Louis XIV, the engraving reflects the era's emphasis on disseminating royal court imagery through precise and detailed printmaking techniques, serving both as a portrait and a tool of royal influence.
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.
