Jean-Baptiste Colbert c. 1667

Robert Nanteuil created this engraving of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a prominent French statesman during the reign of King Louis XIV. Engravings like this one played a crucial role in shaping public perception and solidifying the power of the monarchy. Colbert, as the Controller-General of Finances, was instrumental in implementing economic policies that consolidated royal authority. Nanteuil’s portrait captures Colbert’s likeness and also hints at his social standing through details like his lace collar and composed expression. Consider how Colbert’s identity as a man of power is carefully constructed through the visual language of portraiture. The controlled lines of the engraving process itself mirror the bureaucratic control Colbert exerted over France’s economy. This portrait exists at the intersection of art, power, and identity, reflecting both Colbert’s personal ambition and the cultural values of the French court.