Nicholas Bertin
Medium
engraving and etching on heavy laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 37.5 x 26.2 cm (14 3/4 x 10 5/16 in.) sheet: 45.7 x 33.5 cm (18 x 13 3/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of John O'Brien
Accession Number
1985.44.10
Art Historical Context
This elegant 18th-century print, titled *Nicholas Bertin*, is a portrait by Bernard Lépici after an original painting by Jean-Françoiselyen. Created in 1740, it captures the likeness of Nicolas Bertin, a noted French engraver and illustrator active during the Rococo era. Such reproductive prints were vital in the art world, allowing the dissemination of prestigious portraits beyond the elite, honoring fellow artists and preserving their legacies for wider audiences. Lépici's masterful use of engraving and etching on heavy laid paper showcases the precision of these techniques. Engraving invol...