Edouard Molé 1648 - 1658

Editor: So, here we have "Edouard Molé," a print made with engraving by Robert Nanteuil, sometime between 1648 and 1658. I’m struck by how incredibly detailed the lines are; it almost feels photographic, but in a Baroque way. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: It whispers stories, doesn't it? The man himself, Molé, looks directly out as if we are intruding on his thoughts. What gets me, though, is how Nanteuil uses the very formal oval frame *and* the text to cage the image, to literally set the scene for a Very Important Person. Then you have this incredibly fluffy ruff and shawl… all suggesting power, luxury, a certain cultivated indolence perhaps? The inscription tells us that Molé was Chevalier Premier President au Parlement, the King’s Counselor. Does knowing that shift your perspective? Editor: Definitely. Knowing he was a high-ranking official adds a layer of gravitas. I see it now— the elaborate details aren’t just decorative; they communicate his status and authority. That collar... I wonder how comfortable it was? Curator: Comfort was likely a secondary concern. Think about how portraiture was used then. Before photography, it was *the* way to preserve a likeness, to project an image. The seriousness, the stillness, were all carefully considered to convey a sense of importance for posterity. It reminds me of how we curate our own images on social media. What do you think, are we all mini-Molés in our own way? Editor: That's a funny way to think about it. We are projecting an image of ourselves to the world. It gives a whole new meaning to historical portraits for me. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Always remember: art speaks to us, reflects us; all we need do is listen...and perhaps adjust our ruffs.