Portrait of a Cardinal
France, mid 17th century
Portrait of a Cardinal
France, mid 17th century
Oil painting on canvas
Canvas 80 x 63 frame 92 x 75
Optimal conditions
Intense portrait of an important ecclesiastical figure, dressed in black velvet with the red cardinal buttons that distinguish the highest rank of members of the Church.
The Cardinal wears a gold necklace with a large cross of precious stones as well as an important ring on the finger of his right hand.
The gaze is austere but transmits a good-natured message and the author of the painting, obviously of considerable skill, manages to bring out the features and the expression of the face in an excellent way.
The lines of wrinkles around the eyes are rendered in an extraordinarily effective manner, and the entire face is refined with extreme realism but without protruding in photographic reproduction.
If it is a work of excellent quality whose author is to be found among the most valuable French portrait painters of the 18th century.
The painting is in excellent condition, perfectly relined and complete with a beautiful gilt frame with elegant decoration.