King Charles Taking Leave of His Children

Lépicié achieved depth through delicate line work and cross‑hatching, allowing subtle gradations of tone to model clothing, faces, and architectural elements. The fine incisions on the metal plate convey texture in the fabrics and the shadows cast by the heavy curtains, creating a sense of three‑dimensional space within the flat medium of print.

Created in the early eighteenth century, the engraving aligns with the period’s interest in courtly portraiture and the dissemination of royal imagery via prints. As a work on paper, it would have been accessible to a broader audience than a painted portrait, contributing to the visual culture surrounding the French monarchy during Lépicié’s career.