Who painted Jacques Auguste de Thou?

Jacques Auguste de Thou was painted by Jean Morin in 1625.

Where can I see Jacques Auguste de Thou?

Jacques Auguste de Thou is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Jacques Auguste de Thou?

Jacques Auguste de Thou is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Jacques Auguste de Thou?

Museum-quality prints of Jacques Auguste de Thou are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Jacques Auguste de Thou

Jean Morin , 1625

Jacques Auguste de Thou 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.

About this work

Overview

In 1625 Jean Morin rendered a portrait of the French historian and magistrate Jacques Auguste de Thou as a black‑and‑white print. The image presents the sitter in a solemn pose within an oval frame, his attire marked by a dark fur collar and a crisp white ruff. The background is unadorned, while the oval’s border bears decorative Latin lettering.

Technique & Style

Morin employed a hybrid method that merges etching’s fluid lines with the crisp incisions of engraving on a single copper plate. This approach allowed him to model deep shadows in the fur and ruff through dense cross‑hatching, while retaining fine, precise outlines for facial features. The resulting texture and tonal variation exemplify early Baroque printmaking practices.

Subject & Meaning

The work commemorates Jacques Auguste de Thou, noted for his extensive historical writings and service as a magistrate in early 17th‑century France. By portraying him in dignified attire and a restrained expression, Morin emphasizes the scholar’s gravitas and intellectual authority, aligning the visual presentation with de Thou’s reputation as a serious chronicler of his era.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1620s, the print reflects Morin’s active period as a French printmaker and painter. While specific ownership records are scarce, the portrait likely circulated among collectors of portraiture and scholars interested in de Thou’s legacy, contributing to the broader dissemination of his image in contemporary and later collections.

Context

The portrait emerges from a period when French artists increasingly blended etching and engraving to achieve greater tonal depth. Morin’s technique became a model for subsequent printmakers, illustrating the evolving capabilities of print media to convey both likeness and texture in portraiture during the Baroque era.