Portrait of Charles III Ferdinand, Duke of Mantua

1706

A three-quarter length oil on canvas portrait of Charles III Ferdinand, Duke of Mantua (French, 1706) by Hyacinthe Rigaud. The subject stands in the foreground with a far-off battle scene in the distance and is depicted wearing armor typical of the 17th century. Such armor would not have been worn on the battlefield in the early 18th century but was used to depict nobility of military stature in formal portraits. The white sash worn by the subject is an insignia of the French Army in the 17th and 18th centuries. The truncheon held by subject represents his status as either a commander in chief of the army or as a general, and the piece of jewelry on his necklace is a "grace penny" given by governing princes to high-ranking individuals.

France

oil on canvas

172.7 x 162.6 cm (68 x 64 inches)

Gift of estate of Frederick H. Prince.

PSNC.9871