Artwork
Michel Baron
Michel Baron is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Daullé. It dates from 1732 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jean Daullé’s 1732 engraving presents a likeness of the French actor Michel Baron. Executed on laid paper, the print captures the subject in formal attire, his expression composed and dignified, reflecting the conventions of eighteenth‑century portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
Michel Baron, a celebrated figure of the French stage, is depicted with an emphasis on his professional stature. The sober demeanor and elegant dress convey both his personal gravitas and the respect accorded to leading theatrical personalities of the period.
Technique & Style
Daullé employed the fine line work characteristic of copperplate engraving, allowing for meticulous rendering of facial features and clothing textures. The controlled hatching and cross‑hatching create subtle tonal variations, highlighting the precision that defines the print’s visual impact.
History & Provenance
Created in 1732, the engraving was likely produced for distribution among patrons of the arts and collectors interested in theatrical portraiture. It survives in several museum collections, attesting to its continued relevance as a documentary image of a prominent 17th‑century performer.
Context
The work belongs to a broader tradition of French printmaking that sought to memorialize cultural figures through reproducible media. Engravings such as this enabled wider circulation of an actor’s image beyond the limited reach of painted portraits.
Artist & collection
