Le B. François de Sales, Evesque et Prince de Genève, fondateur de l'Ordre de la Visitation

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Grégoire Huret portrays Saint François de Sales (1567–1622), the revered Bishop and Prince of Geneva who co-founded the Order of the Visitation with Jane Frances de Chantal. The French title highlights his dual role as spiritual leader and founder of a religious order known for its gentle, contemplative approach to faith. Created in the 17th century, the print captures the saint amid symbols of learning and devotion, including books and putti, underscoring his legacy as a writer of influential spiritual texts. Huret, a skilled French engraver, employed the medium’s fine lines and tonal contrasts to create an accessible devotional image. Engravings like this one played a vital role in the period, allowing religious portraits and ideas to circulate widely beyond church walls. The sheet’s modest size (about 12 by 7 inches) made it suitable for personal collections or prayer books. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953, this work exemplifies how prints preserved the memory of influential religious figures. The presence of writing implements and cherubs evokes de Sales’s emphasis on education and divine inspiration, inviting viewers to reflect on his enduring message of compassionate faith.

About the Artist

Grégoire Huret · 1606–1670

French draftsman and printmaker. Comment on works: Engraver & draftsman