François de Clermont-Tonnerre 1655

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil's portrait of François de Clermont-Tonnerre. The textures are so rich, especially in his robes. How should we interpret Nanteuil's choices in materials and techniques here? Curator: Nanteuil’s engraving reveals much about 17th-century French society. Note the emphasis on the sitter’s clothing, especially the quality of the lines rendering the fabric. The print medium also made the image widely available. Editor: So, the printmaking process itself democratized access to the portrait? Curator: Precisely. The means of production impacted both the art and its audience. It prompts us to think about who could afford such a portrait, and how it circulated within society. I now see this work in a new light!