Charles de Houel de Morainville

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created in 1668 by Peter Ludwig van Schuppen after an original painting by Pieter van Mol, captures the likeness of Charles de Houel de Morainville, a figure of 17th-century French nobility. Van Schuppen, a skilled Flemish engraver active in Paris, translated van Mol’s painted portrait into a detailed print that preserved the subject’s dignified bearing and elaborate attire. The work reflects the Baroque era’s emphasis on grandeur and status, when portraits served as important records of social standing. Engravings like this one played a vital role in the 17th century by allowing images to be reproduced and shared widely across Europe. Unlike unique paintings, prints could reach broader audiences, helping to spread knowledge of notable individuals and artistic styles. Van Schuppen’s precise line work demonstrates the technical mastery required to convey texture, light, and expression through the demanding medium of copperplate engraving. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, the print offers modern viewers a window into the visual culture of Louis XIV’s France. It highlights how artists and engravers collaborated to document and celebrate the era’s prominent figures.