Portrait Of Jacques Necker, Engraving By Jean Dambrun After Duval And Queverdo, Circa 1780

Portrait of Jacques Necker (1732–1804), a famous statesman and financier from Geneva, Director General of Finance under Louis XVI, depicted in bust and profile within an oval medallion.

A beautiful French engraving from the late 18th century, executed around 1780, a collaborative work by several artists whose names appear below the composition:

“Queverdo delin. Ornamenté”, referring to François-Marie-Isidore Queverdo (1748–1797), creator of the richly ornamented composition;
“Duval Effig.”, for the drawing of the effigy;
and “Dambrun Sculp.”, for Jean Dambrun (1741–?), engraver.

Below the portrait is the engraved handwritten caption:

“C. H. G. Neker – Director General of Finance”.

Necker is depicted at the center of an elaborate neoclassical setting composed of garlands of flowers and laurel, a cornucopia, a quill, an inkwell, and documents, attributes evoking his office and the administration of the kingdom’s finances.

This composition is cataloged in the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France as well as the Musée Carnavalet, both of which hold copies.

The engraving is presented in a beautiful 19th-century antique wooden frame with gilded detailing, decorated with friezes and rich foliage motifs in the corners and center.

Condition: overall in good vintage condition. The print shows foxing, a few spots, and signs of old moisture damage, visible mainly in the margins. The engraved portion is clearly legible. Wear and minor signs of use are visible on the frame’s gilding.

Shipping: 18 euros within France, 35 euros within the EU, and 100 euros to the rest of the world.