Nicolas Henry Tardieu

Nicolas Henry Tardieu was a printmaker known to be professionally active circa 1719. Fifteen of his prints are represented in major institutional collections, establishing his work in the field of 18th-century graphic arts and illustration.

Tardieu’s documented output centers significantly on a series of detailed prints illustrating Fables Nouvelles. These works are highly illustrative and often include complex mythological or allegorical subject matter. Specific examples from this series documented in museum holdings include Book 1, Fable 13: the Lottery of Jupiter (La Lotterie de Jupiter), Book 1, Fable 11: Bags of Destinies (Les Sacs des Destinées), and Book 2, Fable 1: the Two Oracles (Les Deux Oracles).

The historical importance of Nicolas Henry Tardieu prints is confirmed by their inclusion in prominent collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These museum-quality works, which also include Book 1, Fable 16: The Magician (La Magicienne) and Book 2, Fable 17: the Man and the Siren (L'Homme et la Sirene), provide insight into the period’s approach to literary illustration. Many of these historical images are now available as high-quality prints due to their status in the public domain.