Claude Mellan

Claude Mellan (1598 – 1688) was a French draughtsman, printmaker, and engraver. He is notable for his technical virtuosity in engraving, particularly his use of a single, spiraling line to create tonal variations in his works.

Mellan was born in Abbeville and initially trained as a painter. He later studied engraving in Paris and Rome. His engraving style, characterized by fine lines and subtle gradations, was highly innovative for its time. Instead of relying on cross-hatching, Mellan often employed a single, continuous line, varying the thickness and spacing to create the illusion of light and shadow. A prime example of this technique is his engraving of the Sudarium of Saint Veronica, also known as The Face of Christ, created in 1649.

Mellan's subjects included portraits, religious scenes, and allegorical figures. He produced numerous engravings after his own drawings, as well as after works by other artists, including Peter Paul Rubens and Simon Vouet. His portraits are particularly admired for their detail and lifelike quality.

Although celebrated during his lifetime, Mellan's reputation somewhat declined in later centuries. However, his technical skill and artistic contributions are now recognized, and his engravings are highly valued by collectors and art historians. He is considered a master of line engraving and an important figure in the history of printmaking.