Jean Joseph Grateloup n.d.

Jean Joseph Grateloup was made by Jean-Baptiste de Grateloup, an etcher who lived and worked in France during a period of significant social upheaval, the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Grateloup was celebrated for his innovative approach to engraving. He developed a technique that allowed him to mimic the effects of painting through the manipulation of etched lines and textures. In this portrait, Grateloup depicts his father in profile. Note the elder Grateloup’s gaze, directed away from the viewer as he is caught in a moment of introspective reflection. The fine lines and shading give a sense of the weight and texture of the fabric draped over his shoulders. As you consider this work, reflect on the relationship between father and son, and the ways in which Grateloup’s printmaking captured not only the likeness, but also the inner life, of his subject.