Henri de Bourbon, Roi de Navarre

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching and engraving captures Henri de Bourbon, the future King Henry IV of France, at a pivotal moment in his early life as sovereign of Navarre. Created in 1786 by printmaker Simon Charles Miger after a design by François-André Vincent, the portrait reflects the late-eight-century fascination with French royal on the eve of Revolution. Henry IV, remembered for his pragmatic leadership and the Edict of Nantes that granted religious tolerance, was often idealized in this period as a model of enlightened monarchy. Miger’s skilled use of etching and engraving on fine China paper allows for remarkable detail and tonal subtlety in this intimate print measuring just over eight by five inches. Such reproductive prints played a vital cultural role, making portraits of notable figures widely accessible beyond the original painting or drawing. Vincent, associated with neoclassical currents, likely emphasized Henry’s dignified bearing, while Miger translated these qualities into the precise lines and rich textures characteristic of the medium. Housed in the National Gallery of Art through an anonymous gift, the work exemplifies how eighteenth-century printmakers bridged fine art and public appreciation, preserving the image of one of France’s most enduring historical icons for generations of viewers.

About the Artist

Simon Charles Miger after François-André Vincent

**Simon-Charles Miger (1736–1828)** was a French engraver renowned for his precise portrait work and contributions to natural history illustration. Born in Nemours on 19 February 1736, he initially pursued various occupations including teaching and secretarial roles before dedicating himself to engraving. He apprenticed under the influential Charles Nicolas Cochin and trained in the workshop of Jo...