Charlels-Paris d'Orléans-Longueville, comte de Saint-Pol 1660

This print of Charles-Paris d'Orléans-Longueville, comte de Saint-Pol was made by Robert Nanteuil using engraving and etching. Look closely, and you'll see it's made from thousands of tiny lines, all carefully cut into a copper plate. The etched lines hold the ink, and when pressed onto paper, they create this incredibly detailed image. This wasn't just about artistic skill; it was a real feat of labor. Nanteuil had to be meticulous, and work with incredible precision. Prints like this were luxury items. They were often commissioned by the sitter, or the sitter's family, and used as a way to circulate their image and status. So, while it might seem like a simple portrait, it's actually deeply connected to ideas of class, labor, and even marketing. When we look at art, it is important to remember the materials, processes, and social context. These prints show how art and craft are deeply intertwined.