Henri II de Lorraine, Marquis de Mouy c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Robert Nanteuil's portrait of Henri II de Lorraine, Marquis de Mouy. Nanteuil, who lived from 1623 to 1678, was a master of engraving, a medium that allowed for wide dissemination of images and ideas. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the cool detachment in his gaze, a kind of aristocratic weariness. The crisp lines of the engraving give everything such a formal, almost brittle quality. Curator: Consider the historical context: Henri was part of the powerful House of Lorraine. Nanteuil's engraving presents him in armor, indicating his military status, but also reinforcing notions of nobility and power in 17th century France. Editor: It’s interesting how the detailed armor contrasts with the soft, almost dreamy quality of his hair. I get a sense of a man caught between the demands of his station and perhaps a more sensitive, introspective nature. Almost like a tragic Hamlet type. Curator: Precisely, and we can consider how this image would have been received, reinforcing hierarchical social structures but also potentially offering avenues for subversion. Editor: Ultimately, I see a fascinating tension in this work. It made me consider the stories behind the portraits.