Simon Dreux d'Aubray

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of 17th French portraiture with Robert Nanteuil's *Simon Dreux d'Aubray* (1658), a masterful engraving now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints department.anteuil, one of the era's premier engravers, captured the likeness of this distinguished sitter—a man of evident status, as signified by the prominent coat of arms. Created during the reign of Louis XIV, this print reflects the Baroque emphasis on grandeur and individuality, where portraits served as emblems of social standing and legacy. Measuring 9 3/4 × 12 1/2 inches, this second state of two (as cataloged by Petitjean & Wickert) showcases Nanteuil's extraordinary technique. Using fine burin lines, he achieved a painterly depth and lifelike texture rivaling oil portraits, with subtle modulations of light and shadow that convey both dignity and introspection. Engravings like this were revolutionary, making elite likenesses accessible beyond paintings, disseminated widely among collectors and courts. A gift to the Met from Louis R. Metcalfe in 1928, this work highlights the cultural prestige of printmaking in absolutist France, where artists like Nanteuil elevated the medium to high art. Visitors will appreciate its intricate details—gaze closely at the heraldry and fabric folds for a glimpse into aristocratic life.

About the Artist

Robert Nanteuil · 1623–1678

Robert Nanteuil (1623-1678) was a French portrait engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist who became the preeminent portraitist to the court of Louis XIV. His technical mastery and royal patronage fundamentally transformed the status of engraving in France, elevating it from a mechanical craft to a recognized fine art. Nanteuil stands as the outstanding French portrait engraver of the seventeenth c...