Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes - Vincenzo Vangelisti

A formal eighteenth-century engraving by Vincenzo Vangelisti depicting the French statesman Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, in his study.

This engraving by Vincenzo Vangelisti depicts Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, a significant French statesman who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Louis XVI. The portrait captures the subject in a formal setting, seated at a desk with writing implements, suggesting his role in administration and diplomacy. Vangelisti, an Italian engraver who spent much of his career in Paris, demonstrates technical precision in the rendering of textures, from the heavy folds of the drapery to the fine lace at the subject's cuffs and cravat.

The composition follows the conventions of eighteenth-century state portraiture. The Comte de Vergennes is shown with the star of the Order of the Holy Spirit pinned to his coat, a clear indicator of his rank and status within the French court. Behind him, a classical bust and a framed medallion add to the atmosphere of intellectual and cultural refinement. The desk is decorated with carved figures, reflecting the ornate furniture styles of the period.

Vangelisti’s work is characterised by a disciplined use of line to create volume and shadow. The cross-hatching techniques employed across the background and the subject's clothing provide a sense of depth, while the clear, steady gaze of the sitter conveys a sense of authority. This print serves as a record of the visual language used to project power and administrative competence in the years preceding the French Revolution. The inclusion of the coat of arms and the detailed inscription at the base of the print further identifies the subject and his official titles, adhering to the standard format for formal portrait prints of the era.