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Cardinal de Richelieu

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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In this full-length portrait, Armand-Jean du Plessis, duc de Richelieu (1585–1642) wears the robe and skull cap of a cardinal. This position had been granted to him in 1622. His left hand lifts the robe to reveal a delicate layer of lace, also visible on his sleeves, beneath the great expanse of sumptuous red fabric. Richelieu is painted larger than life-size, although his small head is out of proportion with his body. His tall and imposing appearance is accentuated by the block of colour of his robes and their generous folds. Around his neck hangs the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove. On the right, a highly ornate chair with a deeply padded cushion indicates his high-ranking office as France’s Chief Minister.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Cardinal de Richelieu

Date

1633-40

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 259.5 x W 178.5 cm

Accession number

NG1449

Acquisition method

Presented by Charles Butler, 1895

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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