Henry IV, King of France - Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

A detailed etching by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin depicting Henry IV of France, based on an original painting by Frans Pourbus the Younger.

This print depicts Henry IV of France, a monarch whose reign concluded the French Wars of Religion. Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, a draughtsman and printmaker active in eighteenth-century Paris, produced this work after an original painting by Frans Pourbus the Younger. The composition follows the conventions of royal portraiture, presenting the King within a trompe-l'oeil architectural frame that mimics a stone plinth. Saint-Aubin captures the monarch with a ruff collar and the insignia of the Order of the Holy Spirit displayed prominently on his doublet. The etching technique allows for a precise rendering of texture, from the soft folds of the fabric to the subtle shading of the facial features. The inscription at the base identifies the subject and acknowledges the source material, noting that the original painting belonged to the King at the time of the print's creation. Saint-Aubin was known for his documentation of Parisian life and his interest in the art of the past. His work here demonstrates a technical proficiency in translating oil painting into the medium of print. The monochromatic palette emphasises the linear quality of the engraving, focusing the viewer on the likeness of the monarch rather than colouristic effects. This piece offers a glimpse into the eighteenth-century French fascination with historical figures and the dissemination of royal iconography through print media. It remains a clear example of the period's approach to reproducing historical portraiture for a wider audience of collectors and scholars.