TARDIEU, Nicolas-Henry - b. 1674 Paris, d. 1749 Paris

French engraver. He was the son of a master coppersmith. He received his initial training as an engraver in Jean Le Pautre’s studio, before going to the workshop of the Audran family. There he learnt the free traditions of French engraving, in which etching played a leading role, the burin being used only for finishing the plate. Tardieu intended to complete his education in Italy but instead took employment in Lyon with Germain Audran (1631-1710) and worked there for several years.

He seems to have returned to Paris during the early years of the 18th century; there he engraved Christ and the Woman of Samaria after Nicolas Bertin, and Noli me tangere. He next engraved several plates after paintings by his protector, Antoine Coypel, for the Galerie du Palais-Royal. In 1712 he was approved (agréé) by the Académie Royale in Paris; in 1720 he was received (reçu) on the strength of his portrait of Louis-Antoine de Pardaillan de Gondrin, Duc d’Antin after Hyacinthe Rigaud.

Watteau and his Friend Monsieur de Jullienne

The salons, places of conversations in sophisticated social circles in Paris and the provinces, played an important role in 18th-century cultural life. Artistic undertakings, problems of decoration, and literary endeavours all became topics in the salons. It is interesting to note that the term designating social gatherings was also applied to the dominant mode of artistic exhibition, the famous Salons of painting.

In that age of intense social life, Parisian caf�s played a role almost as remarkable as that of the glittering literary salons hosted on fixed days of the week by women such as Madame du Deffand and Madame Geoffrin, which characterized the Enlightenment. Toward the end of Louis XIV’s reign, the somewhat rebellious, somewhat libertine cliques, such as the one around the duchess of Maine, attracted strong-minded artists. Aristocratic circles took the lead from the court, and a reputation could be made at salons in town - Watteau at Jean de Jullienne’s salon, Chardin at that of Madame Geoffrin.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 19 minutes):

Francesco Maria Veracini: Suite in F Major