Thursday, September 11, 2008

Charles de Saint-Albin


Born in 1698, he became bishop of Laon in 1721. Wow! Can you imagine a twenty-three year old bishop? In 1723 he became archbishop of Cambrai. Wower! An archbishop with 25! He held that office until his death in 1764. Wowest! An archbishop for 41 years!

I love this painting. The ermine looks so fluffy and the silk seems so real that I can almost hear it rustle.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Perché il Prelato è ritratto con un abito di colore azzurro? Apparteneva a un Ordine religioso o si trattava di uno speciale privilegio della sua diocesi?

Laura The Crazy Mama said...

It is very luxurious but I can't help but think it looks as though he's waiting for his daily shave.

leo said...

Laura, you're right!
He does look like he needs a little shave!

Anonymous said...

A French bishop wears the french blue or purple cassock ! He was very lucky indeed to be appointed archbishop of Cambrai by the King, the richest archbishopric in France, the see that had the highest revenue of the country (and the largest surface too).