Nicolas Lesueur
Nicolas Lesueur spent much of his career within the Parisian hôtel particulier of Pierre Crozat. This residence was a meeting place for connoisseurs and artists like Rosalba Carriera. Lesueur was a primary contributor to the Recueil Crozat while living in the household. This ambitious publishing project aimed to reproduce the most significant Italian paintings and drawings held in French collections.
Biography
His technical approach relied on the chiaroscuro woodcut method. Lesueur printed woodcut blocks over an etched base to achieve specific tonal effects. He often collaborated with the Comte de Caylus, who provided the initial etchings. This process allowed him to replicate the fluid quality of ink washes and watercolours. The resulting prints appeared in the 1729 and 1742 volumes of the Crozat collection.
Collectors today appreciate these prints for their architectural clarity and subtle use of colour. The layered printing technique gives each piece a depth that standard line engravings lack. These works represent a period when the study of Old Master drawings became a scholarly pursuit. They offer a refined addition to modern rooms, providing a sense of history through a unique printmaking medium.
Notable Works
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Nicolas Lesueur prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Nicolas Lesueur's body of work.
Christ Among the Apostles - Nicolas Le Sueur
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The Rape of Europa - Nicolas Le Sueur
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Sacrifices of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - Nicolas Le Sueur
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Angels Carrying Gideon's Fleece - Nicolas Le Sueur
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The Discovery of the Cross - Nicolas Le Sueur
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Martyrdom of Saint Angelo - Nicolas Le Sueur
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When was Nicolas Lesueur born?
Nicolas Lesueur was born in 1690 and died in 1764.What is Nicolas Lesueur known for?
Nicolas Lesueur is known for nicolas Lesueur was a French printmaker known for his chiaroscuro woodcuts and his contributions to the Recueil Crozat, reproducing Italian Old Master drawings for 18th-century collectors.