Funeral of François Duplessis de Mornay 1700 - 1768

Jean Restout the Younger made this drawing depicting the Funeral of François Duplessis de Mornay with graphite on paper. Look closely and you’ll notice the artist has paid careful attention to the different textures within the scene. Consider the somber, weighty robes of the clergymen, achieved through dense cross-hatching, compared to the lighter, more fluid lines used to depict the kneeling figures in the foreground. This contrast draws our attention to the social hierarchy present at the funeral, as the weight of the church is visually emphasized through the artist's deliberate mark-making. Restout's skill is evident not only in the composition but also in his handling of the graphite. Its inherent qualities as a readily available and relatively inexpensive material reflect the accessibility of drawing as a medium for social commentary and historical documentation. The artist invites us to consider the social and political implications of the event, as well as the role of artistic skill in shaping our understanding of history.