Portrait of Cardinal Richelieu

Localisation : The Gallery of Painting
Année de création :1635-1636
Artiste :Philippe de Champaigne

Description

Philippe de Champaigne first trained in Flanders before settling in Paris. He stopped there on the way to Rome, which he in fact never got to. In Paris he became close to Nicolas Poussin and was finally remarked by court and called upon by Marie de Medici. He painted portraits combining Flemish mastery and Parisian classicism. He moved towards Jansenism and as his career progressed he developed a more austere, sober style. In his portrait of Richelieu, he majestically depicts his protector, an enlightened patron he painted on many occasions. A group of portraits show him standing, almost in majesty, while in this portrait he appears rather serious, focused on his role as Minister.