Pierre Louis Dubus de Preville
late 18th–early 19th century
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
Sheet: 18 1/16 × 11 7/16 in. (45.8 × 29 cm) Plate: 14 1/8 × 9 7/16 in. (35.8 × 24 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. Lev Tistrin, 2001
Accession Number
2001.647.67
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant engraving, titled *Pierre Louis Dubus de Preville*, captures the likeness of the renowned 18th-century French actorville (1721–1799), a star of the Comédie-Fr celebrated for his comedic roles. Created by Antoine Louis Roman in the late 18th to 19th century, exemplifies the period's fascination with theater and portraiture. The tags—masks, men, portraits—suggest Préville is depicted with theatrical masks, symbolizing his mastery of dramatic personas and evoking the vibrant cultural life of Enlightenment-era Paris, where actors were cultural icons. Romanet's technique as an engrave...