Artwork
Portrait of Francois Lotin de Charny
Portrait of Francois Lotin de Charny is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Philippe de Champaigne. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland. Created in 1647, this oil painting presents François Lotin de Charny as a formal portrait typical of mid‑17th‑century French art.
About this work
The painting features a man with long, dark hair and a mustache, wearing a red robe over a black tunic.
The painting features a man with long, dark hair and a mustache, wearing a red robe over a black tunic. A white collar with a silver tassel adorns his neck.
The subject's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 17th century. The use of rich colors and detailed textures adds depth to the image.
To learn more about the artist behind this work, explore the paintings of Philippe de Champaigne.
Overview
Created in 1647, this oil painting presents François Lotin de Charny as a formal portrait typical of mid‑17th‑century French art. The sitter is shown with dark, flowing hair, a moustache, and a white collar accented by a silver tassel, dressed in a vivid red robe over a black tunic. The work is part of the Scottish National Gallery’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait emphasizes the status and dignity of Lotin de Charny through careful attention to his attire and bearing. The rich red garment and the contrasting black tunic, together with the illuminated white collar, convey a sense of authority and refinement, reflecting the conventions of elite portraiture in the French Baroque period.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates the French Classical Baroque approach championed by Philippe de Champaigne. Fine brushwork renders the textures of fabric and hair, while a restrained palette of deep reds, blacks, and muted whites creates a balanced composition. The subtle modelling of light across the face and clothing adds a three‑dimensional presence to the figure.
History & Provenance
Philippe de Champaigne, a Brussels‑born painter who settled in Paris and co‑founded the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture, produced this work during his most active period as a court portraitist in the 1630s and 1640s. After changing hands over the centuries, the portrait entered the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe de Champaigne (French pronunciation: ; 26 May 1602 – 12 August 1674) was a Brabant-born French Baroque era painter, a major exponent of French Baroque painting.
William Lilly
Heyndrik Damensz. van der Graft
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a young man
Presumed portrait of Remi Tronchot, alderman of Paris
Portrait of an Unknown Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of an Unknown Man
Portrait of Jan Both
Olivier Patru (1604-1681), avocat au Parlement de Paris, membre de l'Académie française
Self-portrait