Laurent Cars - Augustin de Saint-Aubin

A refined 1768 portrait engraving of Laurent Cars by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, capturing the subject in profile with characteristic eighteenth-century detail.

This portrait of Laurent Cars (1699-1771) is a fine example of eighteenth-century French printmaking. Augustin de Saint-Aubin, a member of a prominent family of engravers, executed this work in 1768. The composition is based on a drawing by Charles-Nicolas Cochin, whose name appears in the lower left margin. The print depicts Cars in profile, facing left, wearing a formal periwig and period attire. The subject is enclosed within a circular frame, a common convention for formal portraiture of the era, which adds a sense of order and focus to the image.

The technical execution demonstrates the precision characteristic of Saint-Aubin. The use of varied line weights and cross-hatching creates a subtle modulation of light and shadow across the face and the curls of the wig. Above the circular frame, a decorative bow provides a touch of ornamentation, typical of the Rococo aesthetic. Below the portrait, the inscription identifies the subject as 'Graveur du Roy et Conseiller en son Academie de Peinture et de Sculpture', noting his professional status as an engraver to the King and a member of the Royal Academy.

Laurent Cars was a significant figure in the French art world, known for his reproductive engravings after paintings by artists such as François Boucher. This print serves as a record of his appearance and professional standing during the mid-eighteenth century. The clarity of the lines and the balanced composition make it a representative specimen of the period's graphic arts. It reflects the collaborative nature of print production in the eighteenth century, where a draughtsman and an engraver often worked in tandem to produce high-quality portraiture for a discerning audience of collectors and peers.