Claude Mellan, “Victor le Bouthillier”, 1658

Claude Mellan (1598–1688)

“Victor le Bouthillier” (Inscribed as “Victor le Boutillier”), 1658

Description:

This portrait depicts Victor le Bouthillier (c. 1597–1670), Archbishop of Tours and first chaplain to the Duke of Orléans. It was engraved by Claude Mellan after his own original design. The preparatory drawing for this portrait is preserved in the Hermitage Museum (inv. no. 4627). Mellan’s virtuoso technique is evident here, employing swelling parallel contour lines to sculpt the three-dimensional form—completely avoiding traditional cross-hatching. This specialised mastery is a hallmark of Mellan’s style, exemplified in his renowned work, “The Sudarium of Saint Veronica” (1649).

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper, professionally backed with archival-quality washi paper for structural longevity and excellent margins.

This is the third state of four. In this state, the full biographical text below the borderline is present after the original acanthus-leaf frame was cut down for publication in Michel Odieuvre's portrait anthology “L'Europe illustre” (1755–1765). It precedes the later fourth state of 1781, in which the biographical details of the subject were entirely erased from the copperplate (as seen in the National Gallery of Art collection: https://www.nga.gov/artworks/73744-victor-le-bouthillier).

This is a strong, crisp, and evenly printed impression. The sheet is in near-immaculate condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or structural defects.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 18.9 x 14.6 cm
• Platemark: 16.4 x 12.5 cm
• Image borderline: 14.2 x 11.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Mellan Sculp.”
• Centre: “VICTOR LE BOUTILLIER / Archevȇque de Tours. / Mort le 12. Septembre 1670. Agé de 74. anné.” (Translation: Victor Le Bouthillier, Archbishop of Tours. Died September 12, 1670. Aged 74 years.)

References:

•  Montaiglon 175 (Anatole de Montaiglon, “Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre de Claude Mellan d'Abbeville”, 1856, Typographie de P. Briez, p. 150, cat. no. 175) —Available online via Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Anatole_de_Montaiglon_Catalogue_raisonn%C3%A9_de_l_oeuv?id=KlsCAAAAYAAJ
• IFF 163 (Maxime Préaud, “Inventaire du Fonds Français, Graveurs du XVIIe Siècle”, Vol 17, 1988, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, pp. 113–14, cat. no. 163)—Available via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Gallica): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4227544w/f116.item
• Compare with the first state impression held at the Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-OB-69.960— https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200232446

Price & Shipping:

AU$256 (approximately US$178.57 / €157 / £134.31), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this finely executed portrait—crafted entirely in light and shade through variations in the thickness of parallel lines—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.