“Portrait of Guillaume Jouvenel des Ursins, the Chancellor of Charles VII,” by Jean Fouquet, is an exquisite example of Northern Renaissance portraiture, dated circa 1460. Executed in oil on wood, this work measures 92 by 74 centimeters and is currently housed in the Louvre in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts Guillaume Jouvenel des Ursins, a prominent figure in the court of Charles VII. The Chancellor is portrayed with a serene and contemplative demeanor, wearing rich, fur-lined robes. His hands are clasped as though in prayer or deep thought, positioned over a lavishly decorated table adorned with books and an ornamental cloth. The background is intricately detailed with gilded architectural elements, featuring carved columns and a heraldic shield, which emphasize his noble status. Through the artist’s meticulous attention to detail and use of vibrant colors, Fouquet has rendered a dignified and lifelike representation of his subject.
