ARTWORKS

Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)

Jean Varin (Warin) (c.1607–1672)

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)
1/4

Image credit: The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

How you can use this image

 

This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-NC-ND).

You can reproduce this image for non-commercial purposes and you are not able to change or modify it in any way.

Wherever you reproduce the image you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s) and the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other rights holders.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Download
More information

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Richelieu was First Minister under Louis XIII, King of France from 1610 to 1643, and thus an extremely powerful figure in a period when France was becoming the leading nation in Europe. Varin has contrasted his care-worn features with soft textures of satin and fur drapery. Though probably cast later, this bust could be one of the four documented casts by Le Sueur, or two by Perlan, made in 1643 from Varin’s plaster model. Varin was a talented portrait sculptor, but is best known as one of the greatest of all French medallists. Varin made a plaster model of Richelieu and this was used to produce a number of bronze busts after his death in 1642. The cardinal approved of Varin’s image and it was used for his tomb.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Birmingham

Read more on The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Title

Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)

Date

modelled 1641 & cast 1643 or later

Medium

bronze

Measurements

H 69.8 x W 68 x D 38 cm

Accession number

67.1

Acquisition method

purchased from Cyril Humphries Ltd., London, 1967

Work type

Bust

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this
Normally on display at

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TS England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue

Artist or maker

Jean Varin (Warin)

c.1607–1672

View profile
  • Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642)
    Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642) The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
  • Antoine Ruzé (1581–1632), Marquis d'Effiat et de Longjumeau The Wallace Collection
  • Louis XIV (1638–1715), King of France, as a Child The Wallace Collection
  • Armand Duplessis (1585–1642), Cardinal Richelieu The Wallace Collection