Artwork
Charles Maurice le Tellier
Charles Maurice le Tellier is a print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Nanteuil’s 1663 engraving depicts Charles Maurice le Tellier, a prominent French cleric, rendered in monochrome with a stark contrast between the figure and a plain background. The portrait shows le Tellier in a dark, high‑collared coat, his curly hair and solemn gaze directed slightly away from the viewer, accompanied by a heraldic shield beneath his bust.
Subject & Meaning
Le Tellier, who served as Archbishop of Reims and a key advisor to Louis XIV, is presented with the dignified bearing typical of high‑ranking officials of the era. The inclusion of his family crest underscores his noble lineage and the importance of his ecclesiastical and political roles within the French court.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employs fine line work and delicate hatching to model the face, creating a subtle chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes volume against the flat backdrop. The precise rendering of textures—such as the coat’s fabric and the curls of hair—reflects the engraver’s mastery of tonal gradation in printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created at the height of Nanteuil’s career, the portrait exemplifies the refined portraiture favored by the French aristocracy under Louis XIV. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century French prints.
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.
