Portrait of Robert de Cotte 1722

This portrait of Robert de Cotte was printed by Pierre Drevet, who lived between 1663 and 1738. It’s a masterful display of the engraver’s art. Consider the labor involved here, which is considerable. The fine lines create subtle gradations of tone, giving the impression of a velvet jacket, a frothy lace cuff, and powdered wig. The burin, the tool used to make this print, is pushed through the copper plate. It requires intense concentration and highly developed skill. Engraving, like architecture itself, is a profession that bridges design and execution. Drevet’s technical virtuosity serves the propagandistic function of celebrating de Cotte, a prominent architect in service to the French crown. The print also elevates Drevet, the printmaker, as a skilled interpreter, rather than just a menial producer of copies. We often separate art from craft, design from production. But looking closely at a print like this one reminds us that these distinctions often break down. Materials, making, and context are all essential to understanding an artwork.