François Chéreau

François Chéreau, also known as François I Chéreau (20 March 1680 in Blois, Orléanais – 16 April 1729 in Paris) was an engraver of portraits and reproductions of famous works of art during the reign of Louis XIV.

Early life He was the first son of carpenter Simon Chéreau and his wife Anne Hardouin whose second son, Jacques Chéreau also became an engraver. François I moved to Paris and studied with Gérard Audran and Pierre Drevet. From 1712 to 1713 he did business from the Rue du Foin, in the Parish of Saint Séverin. Their eldest child, François II Chéreau, was born in 1717. with her son François II Chéreau (1717–1755) until her own death on 17 April 1755. Also on the premises was confusingly an engraver and printseller at the same address, Louise Pierrette Charpentier, who after the death her own husband, Jacques Simon I Chéreau (b. 16 October 1732 - pre 1760) became another "Widow Chéreau." when Jacques-François Chéreau retired, the collection ("fonds") numbering in the tens of thousands of plates, prints and plate blanks was sold to François Etienne Joubert (1787–1836), In 1821, Joubert published "Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes" with material from the fonds Chéreau.

Artistic works According to Bryan, “he distinguished himself by the beauty of his touch and the correctness of his drawing, particularly in his portraits, some of which are admirable. His portrait of the Duke of Antin, after Rigaud, which he engraved twice, has rarely been surpassed. He died in Paris in 1729.”

Portraits

Louis de Boullongue; after himself; engraved by Chéreau for his reception into the Academy in 1718. Nicolas de Largillière, painter; after himself. (pictured) Cardinal André-Hercule de Fleury; after Rigaud; fine. Cardinal Melchior de Polignac; after the same; very fine. Louis Antoine de Pardaillan de Gondrin, Duke of Antin; after the same. Nicolas Delaunay; after the same. (pictured) Conrad Detlev von Dehn; after the same; very fine. Louis Pécour, Maitre de Ballet; after Tournieres. Élisabeth Sophie Chéron, painter; after herself. Louisa Mary, Princess of England; after A. S. Belle. The Princess Sobieska; after Trinisani.

Subjects after various masters St. John in the Wilderness; after the picture by Raphael, in the Orléans Gallery. The Crucifixion; after Guido. St. Catharine of Siena; after J. André. St. Cecilia; after Mignard. St. Theresa in Contemplation. St. Ignatius de Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus.