Henri-Auguste de Lomenie, Comte de Brienne 1660

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil's portrait of Henri-Auguste de Lomenie, Comte de Brienne. It's really striking how formal it is, and yet there's something about his expression that feels so...human. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, I love that observation! Nanteuil had a knack for capturing the essence of a person, didn't he? For me, it's the dance between power and vulnerability. That elaborate wreath, those symbols of status...they frame a face that seems almost weary. It's like a glimpse behind the curtain of 17th-century French nobility. What do you make of that contrast? Editor: I think that adds a lot of depth to the piece. Seeing the "weariness" amidst the regalia helps me connect with him as a person, not just a historical figure. Curator: Exactly! And isn't that what art is all about? Connecting us across time and circumstance, with a shared humanity.