Artwork
Guillaume Coustou
Guillaume Coustou is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Augustin de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The print is a black‑and‑white portrait of the French sculptor Guillaume Coustou, rendered from the shoulders up. Executed in 1770, it combines engraving with etching on laid paper and is framed by a simple oval border with a textured edge. A brief line of uneven text appears beneath the image, identifying the work.
Subject & Meaning
Guillaume Coustou, a leading 18th‑century sculptor, is shown with his hair gathered and secured by a ribbon, a conventional pose for contemporary portraiture. The composition emphasizes his facial features and professional dignity, reflecting the period’s interest in documenting notable artists for posterity.
Technique & Style
The image was produced by first etching fine lines into a metal plate, then reinforcing them through engraving to achieve deeper, darker strokes. This dual process allowed the artist to render subtle gradations of light and shadow, creating a nuanced tonal range on the laid‑paper surface.
History & Provenance
Created by Augustin de Saint‑Aubin (1736–1807), a member of a distinguished family of French designers and engravers, the print illustrates his engagement with portraiture of his contemporaries. Saint‑Aubin’s work circulated among collectors of the era, contributing to the visual record of France’s artistic community.
Context
In the late 18th century, French printmakers frequently combined etching and engraving to produce detailed likenesses for an expanding market of art enthusiasts. This portrait aligns with that trend, offering a reproducible image of a celebrated sculptor at a time when printed portraits were becoming increasingly popular.
Artist & collection
Artist
Augustin de Saint-Aubin sometimes styled Auguste de Saint-Aubin (3 January 1736 – 9 November 1807), belongs to an important dynasty of French designers and engravers.
Laban Searching for His Stolen Gods
Parade (A Theatrical Procession in Paris)
Le baiser envoyé
Pierre Jeliote
Le lever de la mariée russe (Custom of the Russians after the Marriage Ceremony and before the Wedding Feast)
J.J. Rousseau
Le duc de Chartres, son epouse et ses enfants
Simon-Nicolas-Henri Linguet
