François de Clermont-Tonnerre 1655

Curator: This is Robert Nanteuil's portrait of François de Clermont-Tonnerre, a member of the French clergy, though the date is currently unspecified. Editor: It feels incredibly precise; almost photographic in its detail, yet there's a softness too. It doesn't feel stiff like some formal portraits. Curator: Nanteuil was a master of engraving, and this piece highlights his incredible skill with line and tone. Consider the political power such portraits held. Editor: It's more intimate than I expected. The subject almost seems caught in a moment of contemplation, like he's about to share a secret. Curator: These images shaped public perception and reinforced social hierarchies in 17th-century France. Editor: Right. It's funny how something so meticulously crafted can still feel so fleeting and human.