Louis XVI (After Antoine-François Callet) - Charles Clément Bervic

A fine engraving of King Louis XVI by Charles Clément Bervic, based on the 1790 portrait by Antoine-François Callet.

This print reproduces the celebrated portrait of King Louis XVI, originally painted by Antoine-François Callet and subsequently rendered into a masterful engraving by Charles Clément Bervic in 1790. Bervic, a highly skilled practitioner of the burin, was recognised for his technical precision and his ability to translate the nuances of oil painting into the monochromatic language of copperplate engraving. The original portrait depicts the monarch in his full royal regalia, capturing the formalised dignity expected of the French court during the final years of the Ancien Régime.

The composition follows the conventions of state portraiture, presenting the King in a three-quarter view. His expression is composed, and his attire, including the ermine-trimmed mantle, signifies his sovereign status. Bervic’s engraving technique is particularly notable for its controlled line work, which creates subtle gradations of tone across the fabric and the facial features of the subject. The print serves as a historical document, reflecting the visual culture of the late eighteenth century and the specific iconography associated with the Bourbon monarchy.

This particular example is presented within the context of a nineteenth-century publication, 'La Vérité sur la fuite et l'arrestation de Louis XVI à Varennes' by E.-A. Ancelon, published in Paris in 1866. The inclusion of this engraving in a historical study demonstrates the enduring interest in the image of the King long after the French Revolution. The print retains the formal qualities of the original 1790 engraving, offering a window into the artistic standards of the period. It is a work of historical interest for those studying the intersection of portraiture, political history, and the craft of printmaking in France.