Porträt eines jungen Geistlichen c. 1685 - 1707

Hyacinthe Rigaud sketched this portrait of a young clergyman with chalk on paper. Rigaud, a prominent portraitist of the French aristocracy, captured the essence of power and status in his paintings. Consider how this portrait challenges and perpetuates traditional representations of religious figures. It was made during a time when the Catholic Church wielded considerable social and political influence in France. This young clergyman, with his soft features and elegantly styled wig, doesn't fit the stereotype of a stern, ascetic priest. Instead, Rigaud seems to humanize his subject, capturing a sense of vulnerability beneath the clerical collar. The portrait reflects the complex interplay between religious identity, social class, and personal expression in the 17th and 18th centuries. Rigaud’s drawing prompts us to reflect on the personal narratives often concealed behind the symbols of authority.