Gilles/ Le Jeune Ii Demarteau Paintings

Gilles Demarteau, also known as Gilles Le Jeune II or Demarteau l'Aîné, was a French engraver who is best known for his role in the development and popularization of the crayon manner, or crayon-style engraving. Born in Liège in 1722, Demarteau moved to Paris to pursue his artistic career. He initially worked under the tutelage of Jean-Charles François, from whom he learned the technique of engraving that imitated the look of chalk drawings. This method, which involved etching with variously textured dots and lines to simulate the effect of crayon or pencil on paper, became highly fashionable during the 18th century for reproducing the works of contemporary artists.

Demarteau's skill in this technique earned him recognition, and he received the title of 'Graveur du Roi' (Engraver to the King) from Louis XV. His workshop became a center for the production of these prints, and he trained several apprentices who would carry on his methods. Among the artists whose work he reproduced were François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, leading figures of the Rococo movement.

While Demarteau's engravings were often reproductions of other artists' works, they were highly valued for their own aesthetic qualities. His ability to capture the softness and subtlety of chalk drawings made his prints sought after by collectors. He also produced original compositions, although these are less well-known compared to his reproductions.

Demarteau's contribution to the art of engraving was significant because he helped to establish a new standard for print quality and influenced the direction of graphic arts in France during the 18th century. His works were so popular that they were collected not only in France but throughout Europe.

Gilles Demarteau died in 1776, leaving behind a rich legacy of printed works that continue to be studied and appreciated by art historians and collectors. His engravings are held in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.