Madame Bouthillier (Marie de Bragelogne) - Robert Nanteuil

A precise 1666 portrait engraving by Robert Nanteuil, depicting Marie de Bragelogne within a classical oval frame.

This engraving by Robert Nanteuil depicts Marie de Bragelogne, Madame Bouthillier, in a formal portrait format characteristic of seventeenth-century French printmaking. Nanteuil, a master of the burin, achieved a high degree of psychological realism through his precise handling of line and tone. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a common device in the period to suggest a sculptural or architectural setting. The frame is adorned with a laurel wreath, which adds a sense of classical dignity to the composition. Below the portrait, a stone plinth displays a coat of arms, providing heraldic context to the sitter's social standing.

Nanteuil was highly regarded for his ability to capture the likeness of the French aristocracy and the clergy. His technique involves a sophisticated system of hatching and cross-hatching, which allows for subtle gradations of light across the face and the fabric of the subject's attire. The sitter wears a simple, modest cap and a wide, plain collar, reflecting the sober fashion of the era. The contrast between the soft texture of the skin and the rigid, linear quality of the surrounding frame demonstrates the technical control Nanteuil exerted over the copper plate. The inscription 'Nanteuil Faciebat ad Vivum 1666' indicates that the work was executed from life, a claim that aligns with the specific, individualised features of the sitter. This print offers a clear view into the aesthetic values of the French court during the reign of Louis XIV, where portraiture served as a primary means of documenting lineage and status. The work remains a fine example of the technical rigour applied to portrait engraving in the mid-seventeenth century.