
Read the visual description
This is a portrait of a man depicted from the upper body, slightly turned to the right. He has a defined face with high cheekbones, a pointed goatee, and a mustache. His hair is medium length, wavy, and parted down the middle. He wears a skullcap and is dressed in elaborate clothing with a wide stiff collar, a patterned garment, and a medal with a decorative cross around his neck. The portrait is framed by an ornate oval wreath, and below it, there is a scroll with the inscription "SEMPER IDEM." Surrounding the frame are decorative elements, including two books on either side and a rolled paper.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu
Michel Lasne
- Medium
- engraving on laid paper; laid down
- Dimensions
- sheet (trimmed within plate mark): 19.9 x 14 cm (7 13/16 x 5 1/2 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1991.164.67
- Credit line
- Gift of John O'Brien
- Time span
- 1551 to 1600
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- French
- male
- portrait
- engraving
- Prelate
- Plessis, Armand Jean du
- Statesman
Inscription
lower left in plate: MLasne fe. et ex.; lower right in plate: cum pri. Regis.; lower center in plate: SEMPER IDEM.
NGA object ID 73789. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.