Portrait of Charles-Antoine Jombert - Augustin de Saint-Aubin

A refined 1770 portrait engraving of Charles-Antoine Jombert, designed by Charles-Nicolas Cochin and executed by Augustin de Saint-Aubin.

This refined portrait depicts Charles-Antoine Jombert, the notable French publisher and bookseller to the King for engineering and artillery. The work is a collaboration between two figures of the period, with the original drawing executed by Charles-Nicolas Cochin and the final engraving completed by Augustin de Saint-Aubin in 1770. The composition follows the tradition of the medallion portrait, presenting the subject in profile within a circular frame, topped with a decorative ribbon. This format draws focus to the sitter's features, rendered with the precision characteristic of eighteenth-century French printmaking.

Saint-Aubin employs a sophisticated range of line work to define the textures of the subject's powdered wig, the fabric of his coat, and the subtle modelling of his face. The background within the medallion is shaded to provide depth, while the surrounding area features a stippled texture that mimics stone or paper, creating a clear distinction between the portrait and the surrounding space. Below the medallion, the inscription identifies the sitter and his professional titles, maintaining the formal conventions of the era's portraiture.

As a piece of historical documentation, this print captures the intellectual and professional class of pre-revolutionary France. The collaboration between Cochin and Saint-Aubin reflects the high standards of the period's graphic arts, where the division of labour between the draughtsman and the engraver was common practice. The print remains a clear example of the technical mastery achieved by Saint-Aubin, whose work is frequently noted for its clarity and balance. This fine art print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the Enlightenment, where portraiture served as a primary means of recording the likeness and status of influential figures.