Jacques-Nicolas Tardieu
| Jacques-Nicolas Tardieu | |
|---|---|
| Born |
2 September 1716 Paris France |
| Died | 9 July 1791 (aged 74) Paris France |
| Nationality | French |
| Known for | Engraver |
Jacques-Nicolas Tardieu, called "Tardieu fils" or "Tardieu the younger", (2 September 1716 – 9 July 1791) was a French engraver.
Jacques-Nicolas Tardieu was born on 2 September 1716 in Paris. He was the son of Marie-Anne Horthemels and Nicolas-Henri Tardieu, both engravers. He was taught by his father, who was recognized as one of the most eminent engravers France has produced. He was received at the Académie française on 24 October 1749 for his engraved portraits of Bon Boullogne (after Gilles Allou) and Le Lorrain (after Donat Nonnotte). He became graveur ordinaire du roi (Official Engraver to the King) and is also described as graveur ordinaire of the Elector of Cologne.
Tardieu married in turn two print makers, Jeanne-Louise-Françoise Duvivier and Élisabeth-Claire Tournay. Jeanne-Louise is on record as having made several engravings. Her father, Jean Duvivier, and her brother, Pierre-Simon-Benjamin Duvivier, were both medal engravers, members of the Academy and graveurs du roi (King's Engravers). Jeanne-Louise died on 6 April 1762. Tardieu's second wife, Élisabeth Claire (1731 – 3 May 1773) was also an engraver. Her works included The Concert after Jean François de Troy, La Marchande de moutarde (The Mustard Merchant) after Charles François Hutin, La Dame de Charité (The Charitable Lady), Le Prêtre du Catéchisme (The Catechist) and La Vieille Coquette (The Old Coquette) after Pierre Louis Dumesnil, and Le Joli Dormir (The Repose) after Étienne Jeaurat. The tendency for wives to become prominent artists beside their husbands was unusual at the time but was common in the Tardieu family.
Jacques-Nicolas Tardieu died in Paris on 9 July 1791. His son Jean-Charles Tardieu became a well-known painter.
Tardieu made less use of the point graver than his father, and more use of the Burin, or cold chisel. As a result, his prints are more precise. It has been said, however, that they are "inferior in spirit and picturesqueness of effect." He made some of the plates for the Gallery of Versailles, after paintings by Charles Le Brun. His greatest ability may have been in portraits, such as those of his father and of Alexis Simon Belle, Pierre Jeannin and Mademoiselle du Bocage. His most notable portrait was that of the queen Marie Leszczyńska, after Jean-Marc Nattier.
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