Audran, Gérard

(1640 - 1703)

Gérard Audran (or Girard Audran) (1640, Lyons - 1703, Paris) was the most celebrated French engraver, of the famous Audran family, the third son of Claude Audran. He was taught the first principles of design ad engraving by his father; and, following the example of his brother, went to Pairs to perfect himself in his art. He there, 1666, engraved for Le Brun Constantines Battle with Laxentius, his Triumph, and the Stoning of Stephen, which gave great satisfaction to the painter, and placed Audran in the very first rank of engravers at Paris. Next year he set out for Rome, where he resided three years, and engraved several fine plates. That great patron of the arts, J. B. Colbert, as so struck with the beauty of Audrans works, that he persuaded Louis XIV to recall him to Paris. On his return he applied himself assiduously to engraving, and was appointed engraver to the king, from whom he received great encourageient. In the year 1681 he was admitted to the council of the Royal Academy.

His engravings of Le Bruns Battles of Alexander are regarded as the best his numerous works. He was, says the Abbé Fontenay, the most celebrated engraver that ever existed in the historical era. We have several subjects, which he engraved from his designs, that manifested as much taste as character and facility. But in the Battles of Alexander he surpassed even the expectations of Le Brun himself. Gerard published in 1683 a work entitled Les Proportions du corps humain mesurés sur les plus belles figures de l'antiquité.