Louis Joseph Masquelier

Louis Joseph Masquelier was an artist active across the latter half of the 18th century, with his documented working period spanning 1759 to 1792. His known output consists primarily of etched or engraved prints, which reflect an interest in diverse subject matter, ranging from historical and narrative scenes to pastoral landscapes.

Specific works represented in collections demonstrate this variety, including the dramatically titled Prisoners Presented to the Emperor and the more intimate genre scenes such as Stier met boer en kudde in een landschap (Bull with farmer and flock in a landscape). Other notable works include Jusque, The Fountain in the Ruins, and Boslandschap met herder bij een vijver.

The enduring importance of the artist’s work is established by his presence in significant international collections. Seven Louis Joseph Masquelier prints are preserved in museum holdings, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States, alongside the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. Given the age of these works, much of his documentation is now considered public domain, allowing institutions to disseminate high-quality prints and scholarship regarding his contributions to 18th-century graphic arts.