Portrait of De Larive

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of 18th-century French portraiture with *Portrait of De Larive an exquisite etching and engraving by Augustin Saint-Aubin, a engraver known for his delicate reproductive prints and contributions to rococo illustration. Created in 1785, this sixth state of seven— as catalogued by Bocher—captures the sitter in a classical profile view, evoking the poised elegance of ancient Roman coins and medals. Saint-Aubin, part of a prolific artistic family, often collaborated (here credited alongside M. Desmarets), blending fine lines with subtle tonal gradations to convey character and status. Measuring just 6 7/8 × 4 1/2 inches, this intimate print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection highlights the era's printmaking prowess. Etching allowed for fluid, spontaneous lines, while engraving added precise detail, making multiples accessible to collectors during the Enlightenment's cultural boom. Pre-Revolutionary France buzzed with such portraits of notables, disseminating images of actors, intellectuals, and elites like De Larive—likely a prominent figure of the time. Held as an anonymous gift since 1924, this work exemplifies how prints democratized art, bridging elite portraiture with wider audiences. Its profile format nods to neoclassical revival, offering a timeless glimpse into 1780s sophistication.

About the Artist

Augustin de Saint-Aubin|Augustin de Saint-Aubin|M. Desmarets · 1736–1807

Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver