1656
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Francois Mallier du Houssay is a 1656 ink by Robert Nanteuil, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with a serious expression. His curly hair and mustache are detailed, and he wears a ruffled collar with a chain around his neck. The background is simple, but the face pops out thanks to the dark shading. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the man’s face look almost three-dimensional. This is an engraving, not a painting, so the texture comes from the lines carved into the metal plate. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists make prints like this.
Robert Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 1623 – 9 December 1678) was a French portrait artist: engraver, draughtsman and pastellist to the court of Louis XIV.
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