Pierre et Jacques Dupuy c. 17th century

Editor: This is Robert Nanteuil’s "Pierre et Jacques Dupuy," a portrait of two men encased in ovals. The symmetry is striking, but I'm curious about the symbolism at play. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice the inscriptions around each figure, Petrus and Jacobus, identifying them. The shared surname, the paired ovals, and the heraldic crest below—these are symbols not just of kinship, but of shared intellectual and cultural heritage. Think about what it meant to have your portrait made at this time. What does this say? Editor: It seems like they wanted to create a lasting image of their family's legacy. Thanks for helping me unpack that! Curator: Indeed. Images are never simply what they seem.