Métézeau Showing the Plans of the La Rochelle Dike to Richelieu, Schomberg and Bassompierre

This painting by **François Hippolyte Debon**, painted in 1863 and held at the Musée de Dreux, depicts the architect **Clément Métézeau**, a native of Dreux, showing Cardinal **Richelieu** and Marshals **Schomberg** and **Bassompierre** the plans for the dike intended to cut off **La Rochelle** from all English maritime relief during the siege of 1627-1628. This scene of technical design complements the better-known depictions of the finished structure, recalling the collective effort — engineer, minister, military commanders — behind this feat of military engineering.