Artwork
Pierre Lallemant
Pierre Lallemant is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1678 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1678 copper engraving by Robert Nanteuil portrays Pierre Lallemant in a tightly bounded oval composition. Rendered in stark black and white, the sitter is shown in a simple dark robe with a white ruff, his gaze directed forward and his expression solemn. The background is unadorned, allowing the intricate line work around the frame to emphasize the figure’s presence.
Subject & Meaning
Pierre Lallemant appears as a dignified member of the French elite, likely linked to the court of Louis XIV, given Nanteuil’s patronage. A Latin inscription beneath the portrait extols Lallemant’s intellect and moral qualities, suggesting the image functioned as a commemorative statement of his reputation within the royal circle.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employs fine, cross‑hatching and parallel strokes to model the facial features and fabric, creating subtle tonal variations without any wash. The precision of the lines reflects the 17th‑century French portrait tradition, where engravers sought to convey both likeness and status through meticulous detail and controlled chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
Created in 1678, the print was part of Nanteuil’s prolific output as a court engraver for Louis XIV. The artist’s signature appears in the lower left, confirming authorship. While the original ownership record is unclear, the work has been catalogued among Nanteuil’s portraits of notable contemporaries and remains a reference for the period’s print culture.
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.
