Antique Augustin Saint-Aubin Charles XII Engraving Framed Voltaire

Antique Engraved Portrait of Charles XII, King of Sweden
Designed and engraved by Augustin de Saint-Aubin (Paris, 1736–1807)
Inscribed in the plate: "Dessiné et Gravé par Aug. St. Aubin"

A fine antique copper-plate engraving by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, one of the
most celebrated French engravers of the 18th century. Saint-Aubin was
appointed official engraver to the Bibliothèque Royale in 1776 and is known
for his exquisite small-format medallion portraits of major historical and
cultural figures — including Marie Antoinette, Voltaire, Rousseau, Frederick
the Great, and Napoleon.

This portrait depicts Charles XII (1682–1718), the warrior-king of Sweden,
shown in left profile within an oval medallion, with the title cartouche
"CHARLES XII." below. It originally served as a frontispiece for Voltaire's
celebrated history "Histoire de Charles XII, Roi de Suède," first published
in 1731 — Voltaire's most successful historical work in his lifetime, and a
landmark of Enlightenment-era biographical writing.

★ DETAILS ★
- Subject: Charles XII, King of Sweden (1682–1718)
- Engraver: Augustin de Saint-Aubin (1736–1807), Paris
- Source: Frontispiece from Voltaire's "Histoire de Charles XII"
- Period: Late 18th / early 19th century
- Medium: Copper-plate engraving on laid paper
- Inscription: Signed in the plate "Dessiné et Gravé par Aug. St. Aubin"
- Image size: approx. 3 × 4.5 inches (medallion portrait)
- Frame size: approx. 16.5 × 12.5 inches (outer)
- Framing: Professionally matted with cream rag-paper mat in a slim
black wood frame under glass
- Verso: Backing paper inscribed in pencil "A. St Aubin / 1736–1807"
by a previous collector, with original wire hanger
- Condition: The engraving is in very good antique condition — clean,
sharp impression with strong contrast and no foxing on the image.
Light age-toning to the laid paper consistent with age. Frame and
mat are vintage, in good condition with minor edge wear. Ready to hang.

★ ABOUT THE ENGRAVER ★
Augustin de Saint-Aubin came from the celebrated Saint-Aubin dynasty of
French artists. Trained by Étienne Fessard, Nicolas-Henry Tardieu, and
Laurent Cars, he was approved by the Académie Royale in 1771 and went on
to produce over 1,300 catalogued works. His late-career medallion portrait
series of historical and literary figures — to which this Charles XII
belongs — represents some of the finest French portrait engraving of the
era. Examples are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of
Art, the National Gallery of Art (Washington), and the Bibliothèque
nationale de France.

★ ABOUT CHARLES XII ★
Charles XII of Sweden ascended the throne at 15 and led the Swedish Empire
through the Great Northern War (1700–1721), becoming one of the most
storied warrior-monarchs of European history. Voltaire's biography
transformed him into a Romantic legend; this portrait captures him as the
Enlightenment imagined him — youthful, idealized, and noble in profile.

★ DISPLAY ★
A handsome standalone piece for a gallery wall, library, study, or any
collection of antique portraiture, military history, French Enlightenment,
or Scandinavian historical art.

★ SHIPPING ★
Carefully packaged with corner protectors and bubble wrap in a sturdy box.
Ships USPS Ground Advantage within 1–2 business days from Washington State.
Insured shipping available upon request.

Please review all photos as they form part of the description. Questions
welcome — happy to provide additional photos or details.