A 1668 engraving by Louis Cossin depicting the goldsmith Louis Roupert surrounded by the tools of his trade.

This engraving by Louis Cossin, dated 1668, depicts the goldsmith Louis Roupert. The composition follows the conventions of seventeenth-century portraiture, placing the subject in a setting that communicates his professional identity. Roupert is shown in three-quarter view, wearing the attire of a gentleman of the period, complete with a wide collar and ruffled cuffs. His gaze is directed away from the viewer, suggesting a moment of contemplation.

To his right, a table displays the tools of his trade, including burins and other metalworking implements. A vase containing a sprig of acanthus leaves sits alongside these tools, providing a visual link to the decorative design Roupert holds in his hands. The inclusion of these items serves to identify the sitter as a master goldsmith based in Metz. The background features heavy drapery, a common device in Baroque portraiture to add depth and a sense of formality to the scene.

Cossin employs precise hatching and cross-hatching techniques to render the textures of the fabric, the metallic sheen of the tools, and the soft curls of the sitter's hair. The lighting is focused, creating a contrast between the illuminated figure and the darker surroundings. This work provides a clear view into the professional life of a seventeenth-century artisan, documenting both the individual and the specific tools used in his craft. The print is a fine example of the technical skill required in mid-seventeenth-century French engraving, where the artist had to balance the representation of a human subject with the accurate depiction of inanimate objects.