Charles-Maurice Le Tellier

Art Historical Context

This elegant engraving by Robert Nanteuil captures Charles-Maurice Leier, a prominent figure in the court of Louis XIV, rendered in the first state of two—a rare early impression noted by scholars Petitjean and Wickert. Created in 1663, during the height of France's Grand Siècle, the portrait exemplifies Nanteuil's mastery as one of the era's finest engravers. His delicate line work and meticulous attention to texture bring the subject's dignified features, attire, and lace details to life, making it a standout example of 17th-century printmaking. Nanteuil (c. 1623–1678), a specialist in portrait engravings, elevated the medium from mere reproduction to high art, often working for the French royal circle. Engravings like this allowed portraits of nobility to circulate widely among collectors and admirers, democratizing access to aristocratic imagery while preserving exact likenesses. The first-state impression, with its crisp lines before any plate alterations, highlights the technical precision of copperplate engraving, where every burr and dot contributes to depth and shading. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1920), this work invites visitors to appreciate the fusion of portraiture and print innovation, offering a window into the opulent world of Versailles-era France.

About the Artist

Robert Nanteuil · 1623–1678

Robert Nanteuil (1623-1678) was a French portrait engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist who became the preeminent portraitist to the court of Louis XIV. His technical mastery and royal patronage fundamentally transformed the status of engraving in France, elevating it from a mechanical craft to a recognized fine art. Nanteuil stands as the outstanding French portrait engraver of the seventeenth c...