Portret van Louis François Anne de Neufville, duc de Villeroy 1744

Johann Georg Wille’s 1744 engraving, “Portret van Louis François Anne de Neufville, duc de Villeroy,” is a detailed portrait of the French nobleman Louis François Anne de Neufville, the Duke of Villeroy. The work, which is now in the Rijksmuseum, features the Duke in an oval frame, wearing a military uniform and a powdered wig, in a realistic style. The engraving depicts him in full regalia as a member of the French military. Wille was a prominent engraver whose works were highly sought after during his lifetime. The detailed rendering of the Duke’s clothing and the realistic depiction of his features contribute to the engraving’s artistic merit, showcasing Wille’s skill as an engraver. The work remains a valuable historical document and a testament to the skill of the artist, capturing the likeness and status of an important figure in French history.