Jean François Rousseau

Jean François Rousseau was a printmaker active in the mid-to-late 18th century, with his documented artistic period spanning approximately four decades, from 1740 to 1780. His output, which focuses primarily on the medium of prints and engravings, is preserved in significant American public collections.

The historical credibility of Rousseau’s work is established by its inclusion in the holdings of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Six of his prints are represented in these major collections. His body of work frequently focused on portraiture and illustrations pertinent to contemporary figures, providing valuable documentation of the era’s artistic and social landscape.

Specific examples of his preserved works include the print Portrait of Saly, as well as portraits featuring notable French artists, such as Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin and Jean Baptiste Descamps. Other titles, including N.B. Lepicie and Avril, from the "Almanach iconologique", highlight his role in producing illustrative content. As these historic pieces have moved into the public domain, interest in Jean François Rousseau prints remains high, with museum-quality reproductions available for study.