Who painted Claude de Marolles?

Claude de Marolles was painted by Claude Mellan in 1656.

Where can I see Claude de Marolles?

Claude de Marolles is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Claude de Marolles?

Claude de Marolles is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Claude de Marolles?

Museum-quality prints of Claude de Marolles are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Claude de Marolles

Claude Mellan , 1656

Claude de Marolles is an ink print by the Baroque artist Claude Mellan. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in plate:CLAVD. de MAROLLES generofus. Turonefis, E ques auratus, Regis a confiliis, / cataphractprum militum Praefectus, Ferentariorumgs Dux imperterri tus, pro / Patria, pro Rege, pro Religione, in duello clarus, in bello clariffin.in pace / fpectabili s, in fpernedis diuitus eximius, apud fuos inter Mich.Abbatis de Villeloin ac Ludouici ftrenui militis cariffimorum filiorum amplexus / Chr. Cath. occubuit ann. natus LXIX. vj. id. Dec. MDCXXXIII. / CMellan Sc.

About this work

Overview

Claude de Marolles is a 1656 print by the French engraver Claude Mellan. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a monochrome portrait of a bearded gentleman dressed in a high‑collared garment, his hair rendered in tight curls and his gaze meeting the viewer directly.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a solitary male figure, his expression solemn and composed. The plain background eliminates distractions, emphasizing the sitter’s dignified demeanor and suggesting a focus on personal identity or status rather than narrative context.

Technique & Style

Mellan employed the engraving technique, incising fine lines into a metal plate to produce delicate tonal variations. Through meticulous cross‑hatching and subtle shading, the artist creates a convincing sense of volume in the collar, hair and facial features, achieving a near‑three‑dimensional presence on a flat surface.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in portraiture as a means of documenting individuals. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Mellan, a noted practitioner of line engraving whose prints were widely circulated among collectors of the time.