Michel IV Le Tellier (Le Chancelier) 1653

This is Robert Nanteuil’s portrait of Michel IV Le Tellier, created using engraving techniques. The most striking feature is the elaborate star on Le Tellier’s robe. In heraldry, stars often symbolize nobility, guidance, and divine favor. Here, the cross at the center hints at religious and chivalric orders, evoking the constellations as guiding lights, a concept stretching back to ancient astrology. We see related symbolism in Renaissance art, where stars appear on the robes of monarchs, and in the crowns of saints. Consider the way the star, once a celestial guide, transforms into a symbol of earthly power, mirroring humanity's eternal quest for meaning in the cosmos. Like the constant re-emergence of ancient gods in new guises, the star motif taps into a collective memory, resonating with our subconscious understanding of order and destiny.