Portret van Pierre d'Estaing 1660

Etienne Picart made this print of Pierre d'Estaing, a French Cardinal, sometime between 1632 and 1721. The image provides insight into the power and influence of the Catholic Church in France during this period. Note the Cardinal's formal attire, which signifies his high rank within the church hierarchy. Picart's choice to depict d'Estaing in such a way speaks to the importance of religious figures in French society and the role of the Church as a major cultural institution. The inscription below the image, which details d’Estaing ecclesiastical positions, further emphasizes his status. This portrait, however, was made by a religious man from the family of the Cardinal. Does this indicate particular family pride? To fully understand this print, one might consult historical records of the French Catholic Church, genealogical research into the d'Estaing family, and Picart's other work. Only then can we can fully appreciate the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation.