Artwork
Pierre Seguier Chevalier, Marquis de St. Brisson
Pierre Seguier Chevalier, Marquis de St. Brisson is a print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Rendered in black and white, the image shows the nobleman in a formal pose, his curly hair and elaborate lace collar framing a finely detailed jacket.
This 1659 engraved portrait, executed by the French court engraver Robert Nanteuil, presents Pierre Séguier, Chevalier and Marquis de Saint‑Brisson. Rendered in black and white, the image shows the nobleman in a formal pose, his curly hair and elaborate lace collar framing a finely detailed jacket. The composition is bordered by Latin inscription and a heraldic shield bearing a crown and family symbols. The work belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
Pierre Séguier, a high‑ranking aristocrat bearing the titles Chevalier and Marquis de Saint‑Brisson, is depicted with the gravitas expected of a court figure in the mid‑seventeenth century. The dignified bearing, ornate attire, and inclusion of his coat of arms underscore his social status and allegiance to the royal hierarchy under Louis XIV.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employed fine line engraving to model light and shadow, allowing the subject’s face to emerge from a dark background through subtle cross‑hatching. The crisp rendering of the lace collar, buttoned jacket, and heraldic shield reflects the Baroque emphasis on texture, detail, and the visual authority of portraiture in royal circles.
History & Provenance
Created during the reign of the Sun King, the print was likely commissioned as an official likeness for court circulation. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, joining a broader collection of French Baroque prints that document the visual culture of Louis XIV’s court.
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.
