Nicolas de Netz, Bishop of Orleans 1640 - 1650

Curator: Here we have Jean Morin's print of Nicolas de Netz, Bishop of Orleans. The print on a 31.1 x 25.4 cm plate is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly intimate for a portrait of a bishop. The octagonal frame gives it a contained, almost private feel. Curator: I agree, there is a tension between the rigid frame and the soft rendering of de Netz's features. Consider the interplay between the lettering in the frame and the subject it contains: The frame is almost a window through which we view the Bishop. Editor: And what of the Bishop's role as a figure of power during the time? The print could serve as a political tool, a reminder of the Church's influence, or perhaps a reflection of the subject's personal importance in society. Curator: Precisely. The print allows access to a social and political ecosystem. Editor: The art itself is a record, documenting the power dynamics of the era. It's quite fascinating to view it in that light.