Portret van Jean-Paul Bignon 1709

This 1709 etching by Claude Duflos, a French engraver active between 1665 and 1727, portrays Jean-Paul Bignon in an oval frame. The portrait showcases Bignon, a prominent figure in the French Academy of Sciences, in an elegant pose. Surrounding the oval frame are symbolic objects such as a globe, a compass, and a lyre, suggesting Bignon’s intellectual pursuits and patronage of the arts. The engraved inscription further emphasizes his significant contributions to the Academy of Sciences, celebrating him as a patron and advocate for the arts. This work offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of early 18th-century France and the artistic ideals of the time.