Michel Larcher, Marquis d'Esternay, Baron d'Olizy 1649

Editor: This is a portrait of Michel Larcher, engraved by Robert Nanteuil. The precision of the lines is incredible. I’m curious about the process and how it reflects the subject’s status. What can you tell me about the material conditions of its making? Curator: The engraving process itself is key. Nanteuil’s skill elevates printmaking from mere reproduction to a valued art form, creating a market for portraits like this among the rising bourgeoisie. The lines are a direct result of the artisan's labor and mastery. Editor: So, the act of creating the print is what makes it valuable, not just who it depicts? That's fascinating! Curator: Exactly. Consider how the circulation of such images shaped social perceptions and the very definition of nobility during that era. Editor: I never considered the power of reproducible art like that. Thanks!