Gérard Edelinck

1640 Antwerp – 1707 Paris

In 1666, Gérard Edelinck, an engraver from Flanders, settled in Paris, where he achieved great artistic fame and fortune. Following his apprenticeship to Gaspar Huybrechts and Cornelis Galle the Younger in Antwerp he continued his training in Paris under such renowned masters as François de Poilly, Robert Nanteuil and Philippe de Champagne. His marriage to one of Nanteuil’s nieces in 1672 certainly proved propitious for his artistic career. Edelinck was given French nationality by order of the king in 1675 and soon became one of the foremost artists in his guild. The over four hundred prints of his oeuvre rank among the best reproductive engravings made in 17th century France.