Jérôme Bignon 17th-18th century

Curator: Here we have Pieter van Schuppen’s portrait of Jérôme Bignon, an advocate general in the Parliament of Paris. Editor: The oval frame is immediately striking. The artist uses line and form to create a somewhat severe but elegant composition. Curator: Van Schuppen situates Bignon within the powerful framework of the French court. His attire and the very presence of his family crest below the portrait speaks volumes. Editor: Indeed, there’s a real tension between the sitter’s humanity and the rigid formality of the portrait itself. The crosshatching creates a sense of depth, but also constraint. Curator: Right. This wasn't just a depiction of an individual, but a careful construction of power and status within the hierarchies of the time. Editor: It's a fascinating example of how formal portraiture can both reveal and conceal aspects of its subject. Curator: Absolutely, and it offers a great entry point for discussing the dynamics of class and representation in 17th-century France.