Le Père Charles Faure 1618 - 1644

This engraving of Père Charles Faure was made by Claude Mellan, likely in the mid-17th century. The somber cleric is presented within a formal oval frame, a format echoing ancient Roman portraiture. It's a symbol of authority and status, harking back to the busts of emperors and philosophers. The high collar of Faure's robe, framing his face, recalls earlier monastic traditions, yet its clean, almost modern lines also point forward. We see this motif echoing through time, from the rigid collars of the Dutch Golden Age to the clerical garb of later centuries. It embodies both piety and power, a visual marker of one's devotion and place within the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The meticulous detail, achieved solely through varying the thickness of parallel lines, evokes the emotional intensity and spiritual discipline of its subject, and engages viewers on a subconscious level. This symbol transcends time, subtly shifting in meaning as it resurfaces in different contexts.