A precise nineteenth-century engraving by Ambroise Tardieu, depicting the French zoologist and palaeontologist Jacques Louis Marin DeFrance.

This engraving by Ambroise Tardieu depicts Jacques Louis Marin DeFrance, a French zoologist and palaeontologist. The portrait is presented within an oval frame, a common convention for nineteenth-century scientific and biographical documentation. Tardieu, a skilled cartographer and engraver, captures the subject with precise line work, focusing on the facial features and the formal attire typical of the era. The subject is shown in a bust-length view, wearing a high-collared coat and cravat, reflecting the professional standards of the time.

Below the image, the text identifies the sitter as a zoologist and palaeontologist, noting his birth in Caen in 1758. The engraving demonstrates the technical proficiency of Tardieu, who was known for his contributions to scientific publications and atlases. The use of stipple and line engraving techniques allows for subtle tonal variations, particularly in the rendering of the skin and the texture of the clothing. The composition is balanced and restrained, adhering to the aesthetic principles of the period. This print provides a clear visual record of a figure involved in the scientific advancements of the early nineteenth century. It is a fine example of the portraiture used to accompany biographical entries in encyclopaedic works or scientific journals of the time. The clean, white margins and the clarity of the typography suggest this is a high-quality impression, likely intended for a formal publication or a private collection of scientific portraits.