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This is one of seven versions of the full-length portrait painted between 16 which show Richelieu in various settings.
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Richelieu’s face, which stares out at the viewer, was repeated in Champaigne’s Triple Portrait of Cardinal Richelieu of around 1642, where it is flanked by two profile views. The richly embroidered golden curtain has been opened to reveal the terrace to the left and garden beyond which may be a view of the Cardinal’s château at Rueil, near Paris. Members of the clergy were traditionally shown seated. Richelieu is shown standing, a pose usually seen in seventeenth-century portraits of secular figures such as kings and princes, in celebration of his outstanding achievements as a politician. On the right, a highly ornate chair with a deeply padded cushion signifies his high-ranking office as France’s Chief Minister, a position he held from 1624 until his death. Around his neck hangs the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, symbolised by a dove. His tall and imposing appearance is accentuated by the block of colour of his robes and their generous folds. Richelieu is painted larger than life size, although his small head is out of proportion with his body. 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. He is dressed in the robe and skull cap of a cardinal, a position granted to him in 1622. This full-length portrait of Armand-Jean du Plessis, duc de Richelieu (1585–1642) celebrates his powerful position within the French Church and government. The richly embroidered golden curtain has been opened to reveal the terrace and garden, beyond which may be a view of Richelieu’s château at Rueil, near Paris. He holds a biretta, a cardinal’s hat, at arm’s length: this gesture embodies his dual role as a powerful figure of Church and state. Unusually, Richelieu is shown standing, as was traditional for secular figures, rather than seated, as was usual for the clergy. On the right, a highly ornate chair with a deeply padded cushion indicates his high-ranking office as France’s Chief Minister. Around his neck hangs the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove. Richelieu is painted larger than life-size, although his small head is out of proportion with his body.
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This position had been granted to him in 1622. In this full-length portrait, Armand-Jean du Plessis, duc de Richelieu (1585–1642) wears the robe and skull cap of a cardinal.