1803
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Frederick II is a 1803 ink by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man’s face and shoulders, shown in profile. His hair is powdered and pulled back, and he wears a high collar with a decorative chain or medal around his neck. The background is plain, and the whole image is framed inside a circle with a textured, woven border. The name "FREDERIC II" is printed below the portrait, suggesting this is a formal image of a ruler or notable figure. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and details, giving the face a three-dimensional look. This kind of image was made using etching, a technique where acid eats into a metal plate to create the lines.
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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