Cleveland Museum of Art

Portrait of Jean-Gabriel du Theil at the Signing of the Treaty of Vienna

Date

1738–40

Medium

oil on canvas

Culture

France, 18th century

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

As secretary of foreign affairs for Louis XV of France, Jean-Gabriel du Theil (1685–1755) helped negotiate the 1738 Treaty of Vienna, which ceded the Duchy of Lorraine to France. The seal du Theil holds in his hand, the silver-gilt writing set, and the thick document all allude to these negotiations, while the wisp of smoke rising from the candle used to melt the sealing wax suggests that the treaty has only just concluded. Du Thiel’s relaxed posture conveys calm assurance, but his sharp gaze is that of a shrewd negotiator. A costume encrusted with gold embroidery and (just visible at his chest) the pink ribbon and star of the royal Order of Saint Lazarus, are visible manifestations of du Theil’s prestigious position. Smoke rising from the candle suggests that du Theil has just added his molten wax seal to the document before him.

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