Portrait of Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis (1585-1642), Duc de Richelieu, possibly after Nanteuil
Enamel Miniature
ca. 1650-1690 (painted)
ca. 1650-1690 (painted)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This portrait is painted in enamel on metal. The advantage of enamel over traditional miniature painting (watercolour painted on vellum or, from about 1700, on ivory) is that it does not fade when exposed to light. The process of painting with enamels is, however, less free than the miniature technique and is fraught with danger. The first colours to be laid on the metal support have to be those needing the highest temperature when firing. More colour is added and the enamel refired, the process ending with the colours needing the lowest temperature. Such labour meant that it was an expensive option.
This enamel is by Jean Petitot, a goldsmith and jeweller. Petitot and his friend, the enameller Jacques Bordier, together developed the art of painting portraits in enamel using a previously unexplored range of colours and subtlety of tone. Petitot introduced the court of Charles I in England to this novel art in the late 1630s. It is likely that he left England before the execution of his patron, Charles I, in 1649. Thereafter he practised in France, painting many portraits of Louis XIV, his children and those connected with his court.
This is probably a copy of a painting, possibly by Robert Nanteuil (1623-1678), of Cardinal Armand Jean Du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu. The cardinal died in 1642 when Petitot was working in England, but this was probably painted after Petitot returned to France.
This enamel is by Jean Petitot, a goldsmith and jeweller. Petitot and his friend, the enameller Jacques Bordier, together developed the art of painting portraits in enamel using a previously unexplored range of colours and subtlety of tone. Petitot introduced the court of Charles I in England to this novel art in the late 1630s. It is likely that he left England before the execution of his patron, Charles I, in 1649. Thereafter he practised in France, painting many portraits of Louis XIV, his children and those connected with his court.
This is probably a copy of a painting, possibly by Robert Nanteuil (1623-1678), of Cardinal Armand Jean Du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu. The cardinal died in 1642 when Petitot was working in England, but this was probably painted after Petitot returned to France.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Portrait of Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis (1585-1642), Duc de Richelieu, possibly after Nanteuil (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | Enamel miniature |
Brief description | Portrait enamel of Armand Jean du Plessis (1585-1642), Cardinal, Duc de Richelieu, perhaps after Nanteuil. Enamel on metal, painted by Jean Petitot (1607-1691). |
Physical description | Oval painting of a bearded and moustachioed gentleman in red and white robes. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This portrait is painted in enamel on metal. The advantage of enamel over traditional miniature painting (watercolour painted on vellum or, from about 1700, on ivory) is that it does not fade when exposed to light. The process of painting with enamels is, however, less free than the miniature technique and is fraught with danger. The first colours to be laid on the metal support have to be those needing the highest temperature when firing. More colour is added and the enamel refired, the process ending with the colours needing the lowest temperature. Such labour meant that it was an expensive option. This enamel is by Jean Petitot, a goldsmith and jeweller. Petitot and his friend, the enameller Jacques Bordier, together developed the art of painting portraits in enamel using a previously unexplored range of colours and subtlety of tone. Petitot introduced the court of Charles I in England to this novel art in the late 1630s. It is likely that he left England before the execution of his patron, Charles I, in 1649. Thereafter he practised in France, painting many portraits of Louis XIV, his children and those connected with his court. This is probably a copy of a painting, possibly by Robert Nanteuil (1623-1678), of Cardinal Armand Jean Du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu. The cardinal died in 1642 when Petitot was working in England, but this was probably painted after Petitot returned to France. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 704-1882 |
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Record created | July 9, 2003 |
Record URL |
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