Portret van Jacques Roëttiers III 1771

Augustin de Saint-Aubin created this print of Jacques Roëttiers III sometime in the 18th century. It’s a fascinating image for what it tells us about the art world in France at that time. The Rococo style was in full swing, with its emphasis on elegance and detail. Roëttiers was a silversmith, and the son of the King's silversmith, so his social standing and wealth are displayed through the very fine details and sense of classical order. The print reflects the values of the French court, which heavily influenced artistic patronage. The Académie Royale played a central role in shaping artistic taste; artists like Saint-Aubin relied on institutional approval for their success. Looking at documents from the Académie and other period sources helps us understand how artists navigated the social and economic structures of their time.