Frederick Maurice de la Tour, duc de Bouillon - Robert Nanteuil

A 1649 portrait engraving by Robert Nanteuil, depicting the Duke of Bouillon in formal armour.

This engraving by Robert Nanteuil depicts Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, the Duke of Bouillon, in 1649. Nanteuil, a master of the portrait print during the reign of Louis XIV, captures the subject with technical precision. The Duke is shown in half-length, wearing polished plate armour and a lace collar, which reflects the military status and aristocratic standing of the sitter. The oval frame provides a formal structure, while the coat of arms at the base adds a heraldic element to the composition.

Nanteuil was known for his ability to render textures, from the metallic sheen of the armour to the soft, layered curls of the subject's hair. His use of line work creates a sense of volume and depth, typical of the high-quality printmaking produced in 17th-century France. The engraving is a clear example of the formal portraiture that defined the era, where the sitter's identity is communicated through specific symbols of rank and a composed, steady gaze. The inscription below the portrait provides the full titles of the Duke, reinforcing his position within the French nobility. This print serves as a record of the visual culture of the period, demonstrating the technical skill required to translate the nuances of a painted portrait into the medium of engraving. The work remains a primary source for understanding the iconography of the French aristocracy during the mid-17th century.