Jean-Baptiste Tilliard
Jean-Baptiste Tilliard was a printmaker active for over five decades in the 18th century, with his documented creative period spanning 1730 through 1785. His output specialized in fine engraving across a variety of subjects, reflecting the diverse interests of the period.
Fifteen of his prints are represented in major international museum collections, confirming the historical significance of his work. Tilliard produced formal portraiture, exemplified by the print Portrait of Jacques Pernetti. He also addressed natural history and genre studies, as seen in the work Le faucon, and everyday life scenes such as Horse Shoes, from The Games of the Urchins of Paris. Furthermore, his work chronicled contemporary performance, notably the detailed theatrical scene Pas de Deux, Tiré du Second Acte de l'Opera de Sylvie: Exécuté par Mr. Dauberval & Mlle. Allard.
The enduring quality of Tilliard’s work is attested by its inclusion in renowned institutions globally, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Rijksmuseum, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Today, many of these works are highly valued as museum-quality examples of 18th-century printmaking. As many Jean-Baptiste Tilliard prints have passed into the public domain, they are frequently available as high-quality prints for researchers and collectors.
