Antoine Louis Romanet

About the Etching

This original 1776 etching presents a bust portrait of Antoine Court de Gébelin (1725-1784), a prominent French Protestant theologian, mythologist, and grammarian. Created by Antoine Louis Romanet, the portrait captures the intellectual gravitas of one of the 18th century's most influential scholars during the height of his career. The inscription at the bottom indicates the work was produced in Paris, near the Jacobins convent on Rue de la Harpe, a center of intellectual and artistic activity during the Enlightenment.

The etching exemplifies the refined portrait style of the period, with careful attention to facial features, period dress, and the dignified presentation befitting a scholar of Court de Gébelin's stature. The work was created during a pivotal moment in French intellectual history, when Enlightenment ideas flourished despite religious tensions.

About Antoine Court de Gébelin

Antoine Court de Gébelin (1725-1784) was born near Nîmes, the son of Antoine Court, a Protestant pastor who founded a clandestine seminary to train pastors during the persecution of Protestantism in France. Court de Gébelin became a leading figure in 18th-century intellectual circles, contributing significantly to theology, mythology, and linguistics.

A freemason and member of several prestigious academic societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and various French academies, Court de Gébelin is best known for his monumental work "Le Monde primitif" (The Primitive World), an ambitious attempt to trace the origins of language, mythology, and civilization. His scholarly pursuits reflected the Enlightenment's fascination with universal knowledge and comparative studies.

About the Artist

Antoine Louis Romanet (1742-1807) was a distinguished French engraver and miniature painter active during the late 18th century. Known for his refined technique and attention to detail, Romanet exhibited his works at the prestigious Salon de la Correspondance, an important exhibition venue for artists excluded from the official Salon. His portrait engravings are characterized by their precise line work and ability to capture the intellectual character of his subjects.

Technical Details

Artist: Antoine Louis Romanet (1742-1807)
Subject: Antoine Court de Gébelin (1725-1784)
Date: 1776
Medium: Etching on laid paper
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 35 x 26 cm / 13¾ x 10¼ in (sheet); 27 x 19 cm / 10½ x 7½ in (plate)
Frame: 43 x 33 cm / 17 x 13 in, new classic style with acid-free matting and glass
Origin: France 

A rare portrait of an Enlightenment scholar by a Salon de la Correspondance exhibitor.