Artwork
Cardinal Jaques Davey Duperron
Cardinal Jaques Davey Duperron is a print by the Baroque artist Gerard Edelinck. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created circa 1690, this copper‑plate engraving presents a dignified portrait of the French cardinal Jacques Du Perron.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1690, this copper‑plate engraving presents a dignified portrait of the French cardinal Jacques Du Perron. Executed in black and white, the image shows the elderly cleric with a flowing white beard, a tall pointed hat, and a star‑shaped medallion on his chest, set against a plain background framed by a circular decorative border.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Jacques Du Perron, served as a cardinal in the Roman Catholic hierarchy during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The inclusion of his ecclesiastical hat and insignia underscores his high office, while the serene expression and composed pose convey the gravitas and spiritual authority associated with his role.
Technique & Style
Engraved on a copper plate by Gérard Edelinck, the work exemplifies the precise line work and tonal modulation characteristic of late Baroque printmaking. Edelinck’s Flemish training is evident in the delicate rendering of facial features and the subtle gradations that give the portrait depth despite its monochrome palette.
History & Provenance
Gérard Edelinck, born in the Spanish Netherlands and naturalized as a French citizen in 1675, produced this portrait while active in Paris from 1666 onward. The engraving entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s prints and drawings holdings.
Context
The portrait aligns with a broader tradition of commemorative engravings of high-ranking clergy in the late 17th century, a period when print media served both devotional and documentary purposes. Edelinck’s work reflects the cross‑cultural influences of Flemish craftsmanship and French artistic tastes that shaped the visual culture of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gérard Edelinck (20 October 1640 (baptized) – 2 April 1707) was a copper-plate engraver and print publisher of Flemish origin, who worked in Paris from 1666 and became a naturalized French citizen in 1675.
