Pierre Mignard

This is a self-portrait of Pierre Mignard, painted in 1691 and now part of the collection at the Palace of Versailles. The painting measures 1.11 meters high by 1.4 meters wide. In this self-portrait, Mignard presents himself as both artist and gentleman. He sits confidently in a lavish armchair, his gaze directly engaging us, the viewers. He holds a drawing pen, a symbol of his craft, resting lightly on a closed sketchbook. His clothing speaks to his status: a luxurious velvet robe and a flowing wig, typical of the era. The artist uses a somber palette of deep browns and blacks, illuminated by subtle variations of light that highlight the textures of fabric and the artist's face. The heavy curtain in the background adds to the air of solemnity and grandeur, reminding us of the artist's important place in the court of Louis XIV.