Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1660

Robert Nanteuil created this portrait of Jean-Baptiste Colbert using engraving, a technique that prizes line and detail. The oval format and the precise rendering give the piece a formal, almost classical feel. Notice how Nanteuil uses line to define not just the contours of Colbert’s face and clothing but also to create tone and texture. The density and direction of the lines suggest the fall of light, giving volume to Colbert's features and the rich fabric of his coat. The controlled lines communicate order and rationality, reflecting Colbert’s role as a key figure in Louis XIV’s administration, which was focused on centralizing power through bureaucratic systems. The inscription that encircles the portrait functions as both a frame and a text, adding to the symbolic weight of the image. The work becomes a study in power and representation where every element, from line to text, contributes to constructing an image of authority.