Henry II de Montmorency 18th-19th century

Curator: This is Pierre Alexandre Tardieu's rendering of Henry II de Montmorency, housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: He seems so self-assured! The intricate lace collar almost feels like a shield, doesn't it? Curator: That detail speaks volumes about the visual language of power in the period, and the role of portraiture in constructing identity. Montmorency was, after all, a Duke. Editor: Absolutely, and his story is so compelling. The context of his execution under Richelieu really shapes how we view this image. Was this portrait part of solidifying his lineage, or a commentary on shifting power dynamics? Curator: Both, perhaps. The portrait presents a figure of nobility, but within the frame of a system that ultimately condemned him. Editor: It's amazing how much a single image can contain. Curator: Indeed. Tardieu's work opens up dialogues about representation, class, and the precarious nature of power itself.