Portrait Of A Marshal In The Style Of Pierre Mignard

In this three-quarter-length portrait, we recognize one of Louis XIV’s marshals—perhaps the Grand Condé—wearing ceremonial armor characteristic of the late reign of Louis XIV. He is clad in a steel cuirass with iridescent sheen, adorned with gilded rivets and a flower on each side of the chest, and edged with red braid. The wide sleeves of a white shirt spill out from beneath the cuirass. He wears a ruff of fine lace paired with a red bow that forms a lavallière. A braided shoulder guard adorns each shoulder, while a white sash trimmed with gold fringe wraps around his waist. A sword hangs at his side, sheathed in a red scabbard. On the right, his hand rests on his hip, while on the left, he appears to be leaning on a command staff. His pose echoes that of the ceremonial portraits of Louis XIV in armor. The marshal contrasts with the ochre-hued plain that stretches out against the dramatic backdrop of the dark, cloudy sky in the background of the scene.

Early 17th-century French school, circa 1680
Oil on canvas
H. 117 x W. 94 cm
Shows signs of wear