Portrait of Nicolas de Launay

Art Historical Context

This intimate etching, created in 1802, portrays Nicolas de Launay in a refined profile view typical of early nineteenth-century French portraiture. Produced through the delicate process of etching, which allows for fine lines and subtle tonal variations, the work represents the second state of two, indicating the artist’s careful refinements to the plate. Measuring just under eight by five inches, the small scale invites close examination, highlighting the personal nature of such prints during the Napoleonic era. Augustin de Saint-Aubin, along with collaborators F. Huot and the sitter himself, contributed to this piece, reflecting the collaborative spirit common in printmaking circles of the time. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Drawings and Prints collection, acquired through the Elisha Whittelsey Fund, the portrait exemplifies how etchings made art more accessible beyond elite circles, preserving likenesses of notable figures for wider appreciation. Today, it offers visitors a glimpse into the technical mastery and cultural role of print portraiture at the dawn of the nineteenth century.

About the Artist

Augustin de Saint-Aubin|F. Huot|Nicolas de Launay · 1736–1807

Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver