Jean Audran

Why this artist matters now

Jean Audran (1667–1756) was a French engraver and printmaker. The brother of Benoit, and the third son of Germain Audran, he was born at Lyons, Lyonnais, in 1667. After learning the rudiments of the art under his father, he was placed under the care of his uncle, the famous Gérard Audran, in Paris. Before he was twenty years of age he displayed uncommon ability, and became a very celebrated engraver. In 1706 he was made engraver to the king, with a pension and apartments at the Gobelins. The hand of a great master is discernible in all his plates; and without having attained the extraordinary perfection of Gérard Audran, his claim to excellence is very considerable. He died in 1756. His principal prints are:

Source: Smithsonian Institution · Trust score: 90% · Updated 1mo ago