Artwork
Jacques-Nicolas Colbert
Jacques-Nicolas Colbert is a print by the Baroque artist Pierre Drevet. It dates from 1714 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pierre Drevet’s 1714 engraving portrays Jacques‑Nicolas Colbert, a French dignitary, in a formal bust format. The image is rendered in monochrome, set within a circular frame that is bordered by ornamental Latin inscription. The subject is depicted in a dark coat, white cravat, and ruffled shirt, his curly hair framing a modest smile, against an unadorned background.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Colbert as a figure of status, emphasizing his refined attire and composed demeanor. The inclusion of a small crest beneath his chin signals his noble or official rank, while the restrained expression conveys the dignified restraint valued in early‑18th‑century French portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed as a copper engraving, the work employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to model light and shadow on the subject’s clothing and facial features. Drevet’s handling reflects the late Baroque aesthetic, with a focus on realistic texture, subtle tonal gradations, and a decorative frame that integrates text as a visual element.
History & Provenance
Created in 1714, the print bears Drevet’s signature in the lower corner, confirming its authorship. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently conserved and displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of European prints from the early modern period.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Drevet Family were leading portrait engravers of France for over a hundred years. Their fame began with Pierre, and was sustained by his son, Pierre-Imbert, and by his nephew, Claude.
