Gilles Demarteau the Elder

Gilles Demarteau the Elder was a highly active printmaker working primarily across the middle decades of the eighteenth century. His documented professional period spanned over four decades, from 1722 through 1767. His known surviving artistic output focuses exclusively on engraving and etching techniques.

Fifteen of the artist’s prints are currently represented in collections, establishing his work in major institutions such as the National Gallery of Art. The historical nature of these images means many fall into the public domain, making Gilles Demarteau the Elder prints accessible for scholars and researchers.

The subjects addressed by the artist include academic figure studies and complex allegories. The records of works held in museums frequently list multiple studies simply titled Academy, suggesting the artist specialized in foundational compositional work. More specific examples of his allegorical printmaking include the documented works Allegory of Painting with Three Cherubs (99) and Allegory of Music with Two Cherubs and Doves (100). These museum-quality examples showcase the technical skill required in producing high-quality prints during the mid-1700s.