Chancelier Michel IV Le Tellier 1658

Robert Nanteuil created this engraving of Chancelier Michel IV Le Tellier, a key figure in Louis XIV’s court, during a time when France was consolidating power through elaborate displays of royal authority. Nanteuil elevates Le Tellier to a position of great importance. The trappings of wealth and status, from his decorative sash to the family crest, are rendered with striking detail. But perhaps more compelling is the psychological depth Nanteuil captures. There's a sense of self-assurance in Le Tellier’s gaze, a quality no doubt cultivated in the elite circles of 17th-century French politics. This portrait goes beyond a mere representation of power, inviting us to consider the individual within the societal structure. It captures both the performance of identity and perhaps a glimpse of the person beneath the surface. It allows us to reflect on the role of portraiture in shaping perceptions of power, identity, and selfhood.