A formal 1733 engraving by Simon Henri Thomassin depicting the theologian Jacobus Bence within an ornate, oak-leaf decorated oval frame.

This engraving by Simon Henri Thomassin depicts Jacobus Bence, a theologian and pastor at the Church of Saint-Roch in Paris. Executed in 1733, the work follows the conventions of formal portraiture common in the eighteenth century. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a technique that directs the viewer's attention to the sitter's facial features and clerical attire. The frame itself is decorated with carved oak leaves and acorns, which add a sense of weight and formality to the composition.

Thomassin, a member of a family of engravers, demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The cross-hatching and fine lines used to model the sitter's face and the folds of his vestments create a sense of volume and texture. The lower portion of the print features a pedestal-like plinth containing the sitter's name and titles in Latin, alongside the artist's signature. This inclusion of text serves to document the identity and status of the individual, a standard practice for portrait prints intended for circulation among the intellectual and religious circles of the period.

The monochromatic palette and the controlled use of light and shadow are characteristic of the period's printmaking traditions. The background, rendered with subtle horizontal lines, provides a neutral setting that prevents distraction from the central figure. The overall composition is balanced and symmetrical, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the French Baroque era. This print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the time, where portraiture functioned as a means of recording the appearance and professional standing of notable figures. It remains a clear example of the skill required to translate painted portraits into the medium of engraving for wider distribution.