A painting of Cardinal Richelieu’s righthand man, Father Joseph, whom some think of as the Gray Eminence (éminence grise) Referring to François Leclerc du Tremblay, a member of the Order of Friars Minor capuchin who wore the gray-colored robe of that Franciscan order ( which led them use the familiar nickname the Greyfriars ).
About 1608 Richelieu became a friend of François Leclerc du Tremblay (better known as “Père Joseph” or “Father Joseph”), a Capuchin friar, who would later become a close confidant. Because of his closeness to Richelieu, and the grey colour of his robes, Father Joseph was also nicknamed l’Éminence grise (“the Grey Eminence”). Later, Richelieu often used him as an agent during diplomatic negotiations.
The painter has Father Joseph descending the staircase of the Palais-Cardinal reading a book with the ascending courtiers bowing and scraping. Cardinal Richelieu, the powerful First Minister of Louis XIII of France, must have caused much fear among the nobles and prelates to inspire such scene.
The painting is by the French artist Jean-Léon Gerome executed in 1873. The painting won the Medal of Honor at the 1874 Paris Salon. The painting was sold several times ending up at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston where it is believed to remain today.
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