Gérard Edelinck

About the Engraving

This magnificent portrait engraving from 1691 depicts Charles d'Hozier (1640-1732), the King's genealogist and judge of arms (juge d'armes) at the court of Louis XIV. Created by the master engraver Gérard Edelinck after a painting by Hyacinthe Rigaud, this work exemplifies the grand portrait d'apparat style reserved for royalty, nobility, and the upper bourgeoisie during the reign of the Sun King.

The portrait presents d'Hozier in an imposing composition featuring classical elements: dramatic curtains, architectural columns, and formal baroque dress. The subject is shown in a commanding posture with his right hand resting on what is likely his most important genealogical work. The engraving demonstrates Edelinck's mastery of the burin technique, with its refined tonal gradations and meticulous attention to detail that made him one of the most celebrated engravers of his era.

About Charles d'Hozier

Charles d'Hozier (1640-1732) was a prominent French genealogist and heraldist who served as the King's genealogist and general judge of arms and blazons of France. He also held the position of chancellor of the religious and military orders of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus of Savoy. D'Hozier was the son of Pierre d'Hozier, himself a celebrated genealogist who had established the family's reputation in heraldic research.

Charles d'Hozier's work was essential to the French court, where questions of lineage, nobility, and heraldic rights were matters of great importance. His genealogical research and armorial records helped establish and verify noble status, making him an influential figure in the social hierarchy of Louis XIV's France. This portrait was created when d'Hozier was 50 years old, at the height of his career and influence.

About Gérard Edelinck

Gérard Edelinck (1640-1707) was one of the most accomplished engravers of the 17th century. Born in Antwerp, he trained under Gaspar Huberti and Cornelius Galle the Younger before moving to Paris, where he studied with Philippe de Champaigne, Charles Le Brun, and the renowned portrait engraver Robert Nanteuil, whose niece he married in 1672.

Louis XIV recognized Edelinck's exceptional talent by naming him Knight of the Order of Saint Michel and Engraver to the King. He also served as professor at the academy created at the Gobelins factory. Edelinck revolutionized engraving technique by introducing diamond-shaped dimensions instead of square ones and by infusing his engravings with subtle color effects. His work combined the realism of his subjects with the refined softness characteristic of Nanteuil's style. Over his career, Edelinck produced more than 300 engravings, leaving an enduring legacy in the art of printmaking.

About Hyacinthe Rigaud

Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743) was the preeminent portrait painter of Louis XIV's court, renowned for his grand formal portraits of royalty and nobility. His original painting of Charles d'Hozier served as the model for this engraving, demonstrating the collaboration between painter and engraver that was essential to disseminating images of important figures throughout France and Europe.

Technical Details

Engraver: Gérard Edelinck (1640-1707)
After: Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743)
Subject: Charles d'Hozier (1640-1732), King's genealogist and judge of arms
Date: 1691
Signature: G. Edelinck Sculp C.P.R. 1691 (lower right corner)
Medium: Line engraving on paper
Condition: Very good condition, restored
Dimensions: 47 × 35 cm (18 ½ × 13 ¾ in.)
Frame: 62 × 50 cm (24 ½ × 19 ½ in.) — Gilt wood, good general condition with a few small imperfections, new mat and museum glass
Origin: France