Franciscus de Salignac vel Salagnac de la Mothe Fenelon, archiepiscopus, dux Cameracensis.

About this artwork

height 245 mm x width 190 mm

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Pierre Imbert Drevet depicts François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, the influential French archbishop, theologian, and author who served as Archbishop and Duke of Cambrai. Created between 1715 and 1739, the portrait captures Fénelon in his ecclesiastical role shortly after his death, preserving his image for posterity during a period when printed portraits played a vital role in commemorating notable figures. Drevet, a skilled French engraver following in the footsteps of his father Pierre Drevet, specialized in refined portrait work that blended precise line work with subtle tonal effects. Engravings like this one were essential in the 18th century for disseminating likenesses of religious and intellectual leaders across Europe, allowing wider audiences to connect with individuals such as Fénelon, whose writings on education and spirituality continued to resonate long after his lifetime. Measuring 245 by 190 millimeters, the work exemplifies the intimate scale often chosen for devotional or scholarly prints. Its detailed technique highlights the textures of clerical garments and the dignified expression of its subject, underscoring engraving’s importance as both an artistic medium and a tool for cultural memory in early modern France.