Fidelity, or Portrait of Ines - Augustin de Saint-Aubin

A refined eighteenth-century etching depicting a spaniel, originally designed by Jean-Baptiste Huet and finished by Augustin de Saint-Aubin.

This etching, titled 'Fidelity, or Portrait of Ines', captures the refined sensibilities of mid-eighteenth-century French printmaking. The work depicts a small, long-haired spaniel, a breed favoured by the aristocracy of the period. The dog is positioned in a naturalistic setting, resting near a tree with foliage that provides a textured backdrop to the animal's soft coat. The composition includes a distant, rolling landscape, which adds a sense of depth to the scene.

Augustin de Saint-Aubin, a member of a prominent family of engravers, completed this work in 1756. The print is based on an original design by the painter Jean-Baptiste Huet and was initially etched by Étienne Fessard before Saint-Aubin finished the plate. The lower section of the print features an elaborate coat of arms, complete with heraldic supporters, which connects the subject to the social status of its owner, the Dame du Palais de la Reine. The dedication to Madame de Pompadour further situates the piece within the cultural sphere of the French court.

The technical execution demonstrates the precision characteristic of the period. The engraver employs varied line weights to distinguish between the textures of the dog's fur, the rough bark of the tree, and the smooth, atmospheric quality of the distant hills. The inclusion of the heraldic emblem at the base serves as a formal anchor, balancing the organic forms of the dog and the vegetation above. This print offers a glimpse into the domestic lives of the French elite, where pets were often subjects of artistic study and symbols of loyalty. The work remains a fine example of the collaborative nature of eighteenth-century print production, where painters and engravers worked in tandem to create images for a sophisticated audience.