L'Abbé Pommyer - Augustin de Saint-Aubin

A refined eighteenth-century portrait engraving of L'Abbé Pommyer, rendered with the technical precision of French master Augustin de Saint-Aubin.

This portrait of L'Abbé Pommyer, a councillor in the Grande Chambre du Parlement, is a fine example of the technical precision achieved by the French engraver Augustin de Saint-Aubin. The work is based on a drawing by Charles-Nicolas Cochin, whose name appears in the lower left margin. Saint-Aubin was a master of the portrait miniature style, often translating the soft qualities of a drawing into the crisp, controlled lines of an intaglio print.

The subject is depicted in profile, a classic format for eighteenth-century portraiture that emphasises the sitter's features and social status. The Abbé is shown with a powdered wig, typical of the period, and wears the clerical collar associated with his office. The portrait is contained within a circular frame, surmounted by a decorative bow, which provides a sense of formality and structure. The background of the medallion is filled with fine cross-hatching, a technique that creates a subtle texture and depth, allowing the figure to emerge from the page.

Saint-Aubin's ability to render the texture of the fabric and the individual curls of the wig demonstrates his command over the burin. The inscription below the portrait identifies the sitter and his professional role, providing a clear historical record of the individual. This print reflects the refined aesthetic of the late French Rococo, where portraiture served as a means of documenting the professional and social elite. The clarity of the line work and the balanced composition make this an excellent example of eighteenth-century printmaking, suitable for those interested in the history of portraiture or the evolution of graphic arts in France.