Today's Painting: L'Éminence Grise

L'Éminence Grise, 1873 by
Jean-Léon Gérôme

I think this is a terrific picture. It depicts Francois LeClerc du Tremblay, a Capuchin monk who was the "right-hand-man" of Cardinal le Duc de Richelieu of France. Note the deference paid to this "simple grey friar" by such personages as the other Cardinal on the stairs of the Palais Cardinal in Paris because of his influence on Richelieu, Louis XIII's Chief Minister. The artist is also notable for other recognizable paintings such as the one below called "Pollice Verso" depicting a gladiator in Rome getting the "thumbs down" gesture while standing over his conquered opponent.

Pollice Verso, 1872 by Jean-Léon Gérôme