Francois Verdier
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 35.9 x 25.6 cm (14 1/8 x 10 1/16 in.) sheet: 46.6 x 33.5 cm (18 3/8 x 13 3/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of John O'Brien
Accession Number
1991.23.6
Art Historical Context
This engraving, created in 1723 by Etienne Desrochers after an original work by Jean Ranc, captures the likeness of François Verdier in fine detail. Produced during the early years of the French Enlightenment, such prints played a vital role in sharing images of notable figures across Europe, allowing wider audiences to appreciate portraits that might otherwise have remained in private collections. Desrochers worked in the demanding medium of engraving on laid paper, using precise incised lines to translate the tonal qualities of Ranc’s painting into a reproducible format. The generous margin...