Artwork
Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Richelieu is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Morin. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1625, this portrait of Cardinal Riccrel is a black‑and‑white print executed on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1625, this portrait of Cardinal Riccrel is a black‑and‑white print executed on laid paper. The image presents a solemn figure in a high‑collared shirt trimmed with fur, his face bordered by a decorative wavy frame and ornamental lettering that identifies the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is Cardinal Richelieu, the influential French statesman of the early seventeenth century. The portrait’s restrained expression and formal attire reflect his political authority and the gravitas associated with his office.
Technique & Style
Jean Morin combined etching, engraving, and stippling to render the work, employing fine lines and delicate shading to model fabric, fur and facial features. The stippled areas create subtle tonal variations, while the engraved outlines give the image crisp definition, illustrating Morin’s experimental approach to printmaking.
History & Provenance
Morin, a French Baroque printmaker active in the early 1600s, produced this piece as part of his broader output of portrait prints. The work remains on its original laid paper, its textured edges indicating a hand‑made support typical of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Morin (c.1595 or 1605 – 1650) was a French baroque painter, printmaker, painter, etcher, engraver and publisher.
