Artwork
Le Comte de Caylus
Le Comte de Caylus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean-Baptiste de Lorraine. It dates from 1777 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: De Lorraine del. et Sculp.; lower center in plate: LE COMTE DE CAYLUS; lower right in graphite: 1692-1765
About this work
Overview
Le Comte de Caylus is a portrait print created in 1777 by Jean-Baptiste de Lorraine, executed in engraving and etching on heavy laid paper. The work depicts a head and shoulders view of a man, identified by the inscription below the image.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the portrait is Comte de Caylus, presented in a straightforward, unadorned manner. His profile is turned slightly to the side, with curly hair and no hat, set against a plain background within a simple oval frame. The overall composition conveys a sense of understated elegance.
Technique & Style
The artist employed engraving and etching techniques to achieve detailed, three-dimensional depth. Fine lines and nuanced shading create texture and shadow, particularly in the facial features. The use of etching allowed for expressive, intricate work, characteristic of 18th-century portrait prints.
History & Provenance
Created in 1777, specific details about the print's history and ownership (provenance) are not provided in the available information.
Context
Le Comte de Caylus reflects the portrait print conventions of late 18th-century Europe, where etching and engraving were valued for their ability to produce detailed, replicable images of notable figures.
Legacy
The enduring significance or influence of Le Comte de Caylus on subsequent art or its presence in major collections is not specified in the given details.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
