Portrait of Robert de Cotte 1722

Pierre Drevet's 1722 engraving, "Portrait of Robert de Cotte," is a striking example of Baroque portraiture. It depicts Robert de Cotte, a prominent French architect and Superintendent of Royal Buildings. The engraving captures de Cotte’s refined air, as he sits in a formal pose with one hand resting on a book and the other pointing towards the viewer. The detail in the engraving, particularly in de Cotte’s elaborate wig and clothing, demonstrates Drevet's skillful mastery of the technique. This work, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the elegance and prestige of French society during the early 18th century.