Portrait of Charles-Nicolas Cochin II
Medium
Etching and engraving; fifth state of five (Bocher)
Dimensions
Sheet: 8 3/8 × 5 7/8 in. (21.2 × 14.9 cm) Plate: 7 7/8 × 5 9/16 in. (20 × 14.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
Accession Number
17.3.1070
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant profile portrait of Charles-Nas Cochin II, in 1771 by French engraver Augustin de Saint-Aubin captures the sitter in a classic silhouette against a simple background. Rendered in etching and engraving—the fifth and final state of five, as cataloged by Bocher—the measures a modest 8 3/8 × 5 7/8 inches on the sheet. Such intimate dimensions were ideal for 18th-century collectors, allowing these finely detailed works to adorn private studies or portfolios. Cochin II, a leading figure in French Rococo printmaking and design, served the royal court and influenced decorative arts through his intricate engravings. Saint-Aubin's masterful technique highlights the precision of etching for fluid lines and engraving for sharp details, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the era's print workshops. Profile views evoked ancient Roman coins and medals, lending a timeless nobility to modern subjects. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, this print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department exemplifies the artistry of Enlightenment-era France, where portraits like this preserved the likenesses of cultural luminaries for wide dissemination. A testament to technical refinement and historical prestige!
About the Artist
Augustin de Saint-Aubin|Charles Nicolas Cochin II|Charles Nicolas Cochin II · 1736–1807
Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver