Pierre Charles Lévêque

About the Engraving

This distinguished portrait engraving from 1771 depicts Gilbert de Voisins (1723-1800), a prominent French magistrate and royal administrator during the reign of Louis XV. The portrait shows de Voisins in formal 18th-century attire with powdered wig and judicial robes, capturing the dignified bearing befitting his position as Intendant of Tours. The engraving was executed by Pierre Charles Lévêque and exemplifies the refined portrait engraving tradition of pre-Revolutionary France.

The work demonstrates the documentary and commemorative purposes that portrait engravings served in 18th-century France, when such prints were commissioned by notable figures to preserve their likeness and circulate their image among peers and posterity. The careful attention to facial features, costume details, and the formal oval composition reflect the conventions of official portraiture during this period.

About Gilbert de Voisins

Gilbert de Voisins (1723-1800) was a distinguished French magistrate and royal administrator who served as Intendant of Tours from 1766 to 1783. Born into a prominent legal family, he pursued a career in royal administration during the final decades of the Ancien Régime. As Intendant, he was responsible for justice, finance, and public works in the généralité of Tours, one of the administrative divisions of pre-Revolutionary France.

De Voisins was known for his administrative competence and his efforts to improve infrastructure and economic conditions in his jurisdiction. He navigated the complex political landscape of late 18th-century France and survived the Revolutionary period, dying in 1800 during the Consulate.

About the Artist

Pierre Charles Lévêque (1736-1812) was a French engraver active during the second half of the 18th century and early 19th century. He specialized in portrait engravings and worked extensively on reproducing portraits of notable figures from French society, including magistrates, military officers, and members of the aristocracy. His engravings are characterized by precise line work and careful attention to detail, particularly in rendering facial features and period costume.

Lévêque's work provides valuable visual documentation of French society during the transition from the Ancien Régime through the Revolutionary period and into the Napoleonic era.

Technical Details

Engraver: Pierre Charles Lévêque (1736-1812)
Subject: Gilbert de Voisins (1723-1800), Intendant of Tours
Date: 1771
Medium: Engraving on paper
Condition: Good condition
Dimensions: 37 x 25.5 cm / 14 ½ x 10 in (sheet); 26.5 x 18.5 cm / 10 ½ x 7 ¼ in (plate)
Frame: 43 x 33 cm / 17 x 13 in — New, classic style, acid-free matting and glass
Origin: France