Portrait of Marshal Nicolas Catinat

The engraving shows an allegorical portrait of the French Marshal Nicolas de Catinat. Nicolas III de Catinat de La Fauconnerie, Seigneur de Saint-Gratien was initially a lawyer, but then made a military career. He took part in the Dutch War and the War of the Palatinate Succession, and in 1688 he was involved in the successful occupation of Philippsburg. In…

The engraving shows an allegorical portrait of the French Marshal Nicolas de Catinat. Nicolas III de Catinat de La Fauconnerie, Seigneur de Saint-Gratien was initially a lawyer, but then made a military career. He took part in the Dutch War and the War of the Palatinate Succession, and in 1688 he was involved in the successful occupation of Philippsburg. In 1693, he was appointed Marshal of France for his military services. In the same year, he was victorious in the Battle of Marsaglia in Upper Italy over the allied troops of Spain, England and the troops of the Holy Roman Empire commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy. The laurel wreath framing Catinat's portrait is entwined with a ribbon listing the locations of his military battles and victories. The battle of Marsaglia is particularly highlighted by the addition of the date 1693. The portrait medallion is enthroned on a plinth depicting infantrymen and cannoneers jubilantly greeting the victorious marshal. Below is the coat of arms of Saint-Gratien. Weapons, writing instruments and (war tactical) measuring instruments - such as a telescope and a semicircular instrument or graphometer - are draped on and in front of the pedestal. In addition, there is a stack of books with the names of ancient authors, many of whom also dealt with the history and theory of war, such as Vegetius or Frontinus.