Henri II, Duc de Nemours
1652
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1652
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Henri II, Duc de Nemours is a 1652 ink by Robert Nanteuil, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a serious face. He’s wearing a high collar with a lace ruffle, a fancy chain around his neck, and a coat that looks stiff and formal. The background is just a plain oval shape, so all the focus stays on him. The artist used tiny lines to create shadows and texture, making the lace and hair look almost real. The coat’s fabric is detailed with cross-hatching—lots of parallel lines to show depth. Look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints from metal plates.
