Artwork
Cardinal de Coislin
Cardinal de Coislin is a print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cardinal de Coislin is a 1658 print by Robert Nanteuil, a prominent French artist known for portraits of high-ranking figures during Louis XIV's reign. The work is a formal portrait of Cardinal de Coislin, executed with Nanteuil's hallmark attention to detail and precision in line.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Cardinal de Coislin, is depicted with a serious expression, adorned in a dark robe, white collar, and a small brooch. The portrait conveys an air of simplicity and elegance, reflecting the cardinal's dignified status.
Technique & Style
Although described in the context of a painting, the original is a print, likely an engraving given Nanteuil's specialty. The dark, muted background and focused attention on the subject's face and attire align with aspects of Baroque portraiture, though the overall style is more restrained, emphasizing clarity over dramatic lighting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1658 by Robert Nanteuil, who served as a court engraver to Louis XIV. Specific provenance details (ownership history) are not provided.
Context
Part of a broader body of work by Nanteuil capturing prominent figures of the time, Cardinal de Coislin reflects the artistic patronage and cultural values of the French court during the Sun King's reign.
Legacy
As a work by Nanteuil, it contributes to the artist's legacy in precisely rendered portraits of 17th-century French nobility and clergy, though its individual impact on the broader art historical narrative is not distinguished from Nanteuil's overall oeuvre.
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.
