Portret van François Leclerc du Tremblay, genaamd Père Joseph, bij een kruis 1755 - 1765

Curator: This engraving, likely from the mid-18th century, depicts François Leclerc du Tremblay, also known as Père Joseph, next to a crucifix. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My initial impression is one of austere contemplation. The lines are fine, but the figure and crucifix are clear against the stark background. The image is modest and severe. Curator: Indeed, it captures the gravity associated with Père Joseph, a Capuchin friar and confidant to Cardinal Richelieu, whose influence extended deeply into the political machinations of 17th-century France. His role as a shadowy power broker earned him the moniker "L'Éminence Grise"—the Grey Eminence. This artwork shows a contemplative moment—juxtaposing the man and the sacred. Editor: I'm interested in the material reality of the engraving itself. The artist has skillfully used line to create texture, particularly in the folds of Père Joseph’s habit and the details of his face. It is intriguing how the engraver manipulated this humble medium to convey a sense of depth and character, but also spread an image for mass distribution, beyond a painted format that was more suited to royalty or wealthy benefactors. Curator: Consider that Père Joseph’s devout image, carefully crafted by the Capuchins, aimed to negotiate religious and political authority in an age of upheaval, but he has been somewhat overshadowed as an ambivalent historical character. The decision to place him adjacent to the crucifix emphasizes a life devoted to faith, but how might that sanctified appearance have worked to occlude some of his behaviors or real objectives in the period? Editor: Exactly. The printing and distribution process democratized the image but also standardized a particular narrative about this controversial figure. The consumption of this devotional artwork then becomes an act intertwined with religious ideology and political power, both then and potentially refigured and reimagined now. Curator: Thank you, a brilliant closing, allowing for reflection on power and devotion. Editor: Yes, examining how the humble process of printmaking influenced both its original moment and its place within our social and political contexts today.