Artwork
Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619–1683)
Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619–1683) is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Philippe de Champaigne. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Classified simply as a painting and identified by genre as a portrait, the canvas is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Philippe de Champaigne executed this portrait of Jean-Baptiste Colbert in oil paint on canvas, a standard support for mid-seventeenth-century French portraiture. The work measures 92.1 by 72.4 centimeters, a vertical format well suited to a half-length or bust-length depiction of a single male sitter. Classified simply as a painting and identified by genre as a portrait, the canvas is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Beyond these cataloged facts, the provided sources do not record details of handling, brushwork, condition, or specific stylistic qualities, so further characterization of Champaigne's technique cannot be grounded here.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Jean‑Baptiste Colbert, painted by Philippe de Champagné in 1655, is an oil on canvas work measuring 92.1 × 72.4 cm. It was created as a likeness of the French minister and originally entered the French royal circle, later passing into the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. The painting’s date of execution is recorded as 1655, and its material and dimensions are documented in contemporary catalogues. Its provenance traces from the artist’s studio to the museum’s collection, reflecting continuous ownership by the institution since its acquisition.
Philippe de Champaigne's 1655 oil portrait of Jean-Baptiste Colbert is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is cataloged as a painting on canvas, measuring 92.1 cm in height and 72.4 cm in width. While the source material confirms the museum's current custody and the artwork's physical dimensions, it does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not list any past or future exhibition history for this portrait, limiting the record to its creation date, medium, and current institutional location.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1655 by the Brabant-born artist Philippe de Champaigne, depicts Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a significant French statesman of the era. As a characteristic example of the French Classical Baroque style, the work functions as a formal portrait, capturing its subject with a composed demeanor. It is presently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a powerful figure in 17th-century French governance, with an air of quiet authority. Dressed in a dark coat accented by intricate white lace at the collar and cuffs, he holds a folded document, suggesting his administrative role. His composed expression and slight gaze away from the viewer convey a sense of thoughtful engagement, befitting a statesman of his stature.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe de Champaigne (French pronunciation:; 26 May 1602 – 12 August 1674) was a Brabant-born French Baroque era painter, a major exponent of French Baroque painting.
