Portret van Scipion Dupleix in een ornamentele lijst met putti 1621 - 1628

Michel Lasne created this print of Scipion Dupleix in 1621. It’s an engraving, a medium that lends itself to the precise lines and formal representation so valued at the time. Dupleix was a significant figure in his own right, a historian and philosopher who served in the court of Louis XIII. Positioned within an ornamental frame, the portrait presents Dupleix as a figure of authority and intellect. The putti, or cherubic figures, and heraldic symbols are all visual cues of status. Yet look closely, and you might detect a hint of melancholy in his eyes, or a certain tension in his brow. In a time that valued stoicism, especially for men, the subtle emotional depth in Lasne's portrayal adds complexity. The inscription beneath the portrait translates to "His mind shines in writings, his face in effigy.” It’s a testament to the enduring power of both intellectual work and artistic representation, capturing the essence of a man who lived in a world of shifting political and cultural landscapes.