Portrait of Victor le Bouthillier
The Frenchman Robert Nanteuil was perhaps the most renowned portrait engraver of his time. His virtuoso technique was influenced by Claude Mellan (on view elsewhere in this gallery). Many dignitaries, including King Louis XIV, had themselves immortalized in prints by him. He usually worked from his own designs. This was also the case for Victor le Bouthillier, Archbishop of Tours, who had to travel to Paris to sit for his portrait.