Jacques De L'Estin
Jacques de Létin (1597 - 1661): A Forgotten Master of Baroque Portraiture
Jacques de Létin, or Jacques Ninet de Lestin, or Jacques de L'Estin (1597, Troyes – October, 1661, Troyes) remains a curiously elusive figure in the annals of French art history. Despite producing a substantial body of work—primarily religious paintings and portraits—he faded into obscurity after his lifetime, largely due to the destructive forces unleashed by th
e French Revolution and subsequent conflicts. However, recent scholarship has begun to illuminate his life and artistic contributions, revealing him as a significant practitioner of Baroque painting and a student of Carvaggio’s dramatic style.
Early Life & Training: Born into a modest family in Troyes, Jacques de Létin received an education that encompassed both goldsmithing and painting. His father, Jehan, operated a hotel—L'Ima…
