Cardinal Mazarin c. 1657

Curator: This is Robert Nanteuil’s portrait of Cardinal Mazarin. Made as an engraving, it demonstrates the printmaker's skill. Editor: The expression is so…contained. He seems both powerful and weary, doesn’t he? The gaze is very direct. Curator: Mazarin was a controversial figure. As chief minister to France during Louis XIV's early reign, he was instrumental in shaping French politics and culture. Nanteuil's portrait circulated widely, solidifying Mazarin's image. Editor: This image is a constructed, controlled representation of power. It’s interesting to consider how gender and power operate within the Catholic Church, even today. Mazarin's influence extended far beyond the spiritual realm. Curator: Yes, and consider the ways in which portraits function as propaganda, shaping public perception and influencing political discourse. This example offers a glimpse into the intersection of art, power, and social control in 17th-century France. Editor: Absolutely, seeing it through that lens offers important social commentary.