Giles-Louis Chrétien 1754-1811 Physionotrace portrait of a young gentleman Circa.1800. Possibly after Jean Fouquet. In a period turned wood frame. 6 cms. Image. 10.5 cms overall.
In 1783–1784, the Frenchman Giles-Louis Chrétien invented the "physionotrace" to aid in the production of profile portraits, which had became popular during the reign of Louis XVI. Within a few minutes, a "grand trait" could be produced. Chrétien's device used the mechanics of the pantograph to transmit the tracing (via an eyepiece) of the subject's profile silhouette to an engraving needle. Thereby enabling the production of multiple portrait copies.
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