Armand Emmanuel, Duke of Richelieu (1766-1822)

Lawrence painted the Duke of Richelieu around 1818 as part of the Waterloo Chamber series. Armand Emmanuel du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu, served twice as Prime Minister of the restored French monarchy, navigating the difficult transition from Napoleonic to Bourbon rule. A descendant of Cardinal Richelieu, he had spent the Revolutionary years in Russian service, governing Odessa, before returning to France with the Bourbon restoration. Lawrence's portrait captures the dignified restraint of a moderate royalist attempting to reconcile France's revolutionary past with its monarchical present. Now in the Royal Collection at Windsor, the portrait documents the fragile post-Napoleonic settlement.

Lawrence captures the Duke's distinguished bearing with restrained elegance. The warm palette and dignified composition suit the personality of a statesman whose diplomatic skill helped restore France's position in post-Napoleonic Europe.