Artwork
Pierre-Jean Mariette
Pierre-Jean Mariette is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Augustin de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Augustin de Saint‑Aubin produced a portrait print of the French collector Pierre‑Jean Mariette in 1765.
About this work
The name "Mariette" is written under the portrait, and the text at the bottom says it was made in 1765.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a high collar. His face is turned slightly to the side, and he wears a ruffled shirt. Above his head, there’s a decorative bow tied with ribbons.
The name "Mariette" is written under the portrait, and the text at the bottom says it was made in 1765. The paper has a textured look, typical of old prints.
Next, check out etching to see how this kind of print was made.
Overview
Augustin de Saint‑Aubin produced a portrait print of the French collector Pierre‑Jean Mariette in 1765. Executed on laid paper, the image combines etching and engraving to render a monochrome likeness of the antiquarian. The work exemplifies the familial tradition of the Saint‑Aubin dynasty, a notable line of French designers and printmakers active in the eighteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents Pierre‑Jean Mariette, a prominent connoisseur of art and antiquities, rendered with a slightly turned head, curly hair, and a high‑collared, ruffled shirt. A decorative bow of ribbons crowns the composition, underscoring the sitter’s cultivated status. The inscription of his name below the image identifies the subject, reinforcing his reputation as a leading figure in French collecting circles.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Aubin employed both etching and engraving on a sheet of laid paper, a common support that provides a faint ribbed texture. The etching delivers delicate tonal washes, while the engraving adds crisp lines for facial features and ornamental details. This hybrid approach yields a clear, yet nuanced portrait that balances softness with precise definition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1765, the print belongs to the later period of Augustin de Saint‑Aubin’s career, when he was consolidating the family’s reputation for high‑quality portraiture. The work has remained within collections of French prints, reflecting its role as both a documentary likeness of Mariette and a testament to the Saint‑Aubin workshop’s output during the mid‑eighteenth century.
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.
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