Robert Nanteuil

Robert Nanteuil , 1623?-1678, French draftsman and engraver. His pastel portraits gained him popularity, and in 1658 Louis XIV made him draftsman to the royal cabinet. His 221 extant portrait engravings excel in the vivacity and precision of their characterization. Nanteuil was especially successful in creating a three-dimensional effect in his works. He made portraits of almost all the important personages at the court. Among the finest are the portraits of Jean Loret, Gilles Ménage, and the Marquis de Maisons. He made 11 portraits of Louis XIV and 14 of Mazarin.

Nanteuil, Robert (b Reims, 1623; d Paris, 9 Dec. 1678). French engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist, almost exclusively of portraits. He is considered the greatest European portrait engraver of the 17th century, and in France stands as the counterpart of Philippe de Champaigne among painters. He often engraved the work of Champaigne and other painters, but also made original compositions, in which he showed both great technical mastery and penetrating characterization. Louis XIV appointed him royal draughtsman in 1658 and he made many pastel portraits as well as engravings of the king and royal family.

Nanteuil, Robert (c.1623–78). French engraver, draughtsman, and pastellist, almost exclusively of portraits. He is considered the greatest European portrait engraver of the 17th century, and in France stands as the counterpart of Philippe de Champaigne among painters. He often engraved the work of Champaigne and other painters, but also made original compositions, in which he showed both great technical mastery and penetrating characterization. Louis XIV appointed him royal draughtsman in 1658 and he made many pastel portraits as well as engravings of the king and royal family. His other sitters included some of the leading Frenchmen of his time.