A refined eighteenth-century portrait engraving of the French statesman Charles Gravier, Count of Vergennes, by the Dutch artist Reinier Vinkeles.

This portrait depicts Charles Gravier, Count of Vergennes, a prominent French statesman who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reign of Louis XVI. The work is an example of the precision associated with the Dutch engraver Reinier Vinkeles. Vinkeles was a prolific artist in Amsterdam, known for his technical mastery of the burin and his ability to capture the likeness of contemporary figures through fine line work. The composition follows the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture, presenting the subject within a circular frame. The Count is shown in a bust-length view, wearing the formal attire of his station, complete with a cravat and the star of an order pinned to his coat. Below the portrait, Vinkeles includes a heraldic shield, which adds a layer of formal identification and decorative balance to the print. The background consists of a cross-hatched grid, a common technique used by engravers of the period to create depth and contrast against the figure. Vinkeles often collaborated with other artists and publishers to produce illustrations for books and historical records. His work is characterised by a clean, disciplined approach to line, which allows for the subtle modelling of the subject's features. The inclusion of the handwritten inscription at the base of the print identifies the sitter, providing a clear reference for the viewer. This print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the late eighteenth century, where the dissemination of portraits of political figures was a standard practice for documenting influential individuals of the era. The print remains a record of the aesthetic standards of Dutch printmaking during the late Enlightenment period.