{"product_id":"antique-augustin-saint-aubin-charles-xii-engraving-framed-voltaire","title":"Antique Augustin Saint-Aubin Charles XII Engraving Framed Voltaire","description":"Antique Engraved Portrait of Charles XII, King of Sweden\u003cbr\u003eDesigned and engraved by Augustin de Saint-Aubin (Paris, 1736–1807)\u003cbr\u003eInscribed in the plate: \"Dessiné et Gravé par Aug. St. Aubin\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA fine antique copper-plate engraving by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, one of the \u003cbr\u003emost celebrated French engravers of the 18th century. Saint-Aubin was \u003cbr\u003eappointed official engraver to the Bibliothèque Royale in 1776 and is known \u003cbr\u003efor his exquisite small-format medallion portraits of major historical and \u003cbr\u003ecultural figures — including Marie Antoinette, Voltaire, Rousseau, Frederick \u003cbr\u003ethe Great, and Napoleon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis portrait depicts Charles XII (1682–1718), the warrior-king of Sweden, \u003cbr\u003eshown in left profile within an oval medallion, with the title cartouche \u003cbr\u003e\"CHARLES XII.\" below. It originally served as a frontispiece for Voltaire's \u003cbr\u003ecelebrated history \"Histoire de Charles XII, Roi de Suède,\" first published \u003cbr\u003ein 1731 — Voltaire's most successful historical work in his lifetime, and a \u003cbr\u003elandmark of Enlightenment-era biographical writing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ DETAILS ★\u003cbr\u003e- Subject: Charles XII, King of Sweden (1682–1718)\u003cbr\u003e- Engraver: Augustin de Saint-Aubin (1736–1807), Paris\u003cbr\u003e- Source: Frontispiece from Voltaire's \"Histoire de Charles XII\"\u003cbr\u003e- Period: Late 18th \/ early 19th century\u003cbr\u003e- Medium: Copper-plate engraving on laid paper\u003cbr\u003e- Inscription: Signed in the plate \"Dessiné et Gravé par Aug. St. Aubin\"\u003cbr\u003e- Image size: approx. 3 × 4.5 inches (medallion portrait)\u003cbr\u003e- Frame size: approx. 16.5 × 12.5 inches (outer)\u003cbr\u003e- Framing: Professionally matted with cream rag-paper mat in a slim \u003cbr\u003e  black wood frame under glass\u003cbr\u003e- Verso: Backing paper inscribed in pencil \"A. St Aubin \/ 1736–1807\" \u003cbr\u003e  by a previous collector, with original wire hanger\u003cbr\u003e- Condition: The engraving is in very good antique condition — clean, \u003cbr\u003e  sharp impression with strong contrast and no foxing on the image. \u003cbr\u003e  Light age-toning to the laid paper consistent with age. Frame and \u003cbr\u003e  mat are vintage, in good condition with minor edge wear. Ready to hang.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ ABOUT THE ENGRAVER ★\u003cbr\u003eAugustin de Saint-Aubin came from the celebrated Saint-Aubin dynasty of \u003cbr\u003eFrench artists. Trained by Étienne Fessard, Nicolas-Henry Tardieu, and \u003cbr\u003eLaurent Cars, he was approved by the Académie Royale in 1771 and went on \u003cbr\u003eto produce over 1,300 catalogued works. His late-career medallion portrait \u003cbr\u003eseries of historical and literary figures — to which this Charles XII \u003cbr\u003ebelongs — represents some of the finest French portrait engraving of the \u003cbr\u003eera. Examples are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of \u003cbr\u003eArt, the National Gallery of Art (Washington), and the Bibliothèque \u003cbr\u003enationale de France.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ ABOUT CHARLES XII ★\u003cbr\u003eCharles XII of Sweden ascended the throne at 15 and led the Swedish Empire \u003cbr\u003ethrough the Great Northern War (1700–1721), becoming one of the most \u003cbr\u003estoried warrior-monarchs of European history. Voltaire's biography \u003cbr\u003etransformed him into a Romantic legend; this portrait captures him as the \u003cbr\u003eEnlightenment imagined him — youthful, idealized, and noble in profile.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ DISPLAY ★\u003cbr\u003eA handsome standalone piece for a gallery wall, library, study, or any \u003cbr\u003ecollection of antique portraiture, military history, French Enlightenment, \u003cbr\u003eor Scandinavian historical art.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e★ SHIPPING ★\u003cbr\u003eCarefully packaged with corner protectors and bubble wrap in a sturdy box. \u003cbr\u003eShips USPS Ground Advantage within 1–2 business days from Washington State. \u003cbr\u003eInsured shipping available upon request.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photos as they form part of the description. Questions \u003cbr\u003ewelcome — happy to provide additional photos or details.","brand":"SW Curated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49117901684988,"sku":"ced_31907475531","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/6053\/0940\/files\/il_fullxfull.8019778120_92i0.jpg?v=1779161483","url":"https:\/\/swcurated.com\/products\/antique-augustin-saint-aubin-charles-xii-engraving-framed-voltaire","provider":"SW Curated","version":"1.0","type":"link"}