Jean Boulanger (engraver)

Jean Boulanger, a French line-engraver, son of the painter Olivier Boulanger and cousin to the painter of the same name, was born at Amiens in 1608 and baptized in Troyes in Champagne on 24 January 1608; he had five children with Marie Judon.

An engraving, dated 1669-93, an impression of which is at the British Museum, representing the Holy Family with St John the Baptist, was engraved by Jean Boulanger and published by François de Poilly.

The Ashmolean Museum possesses a drawing dated 1669-80 which corresponds very closely in style and composition to the just mentioned engraving and which has been recently identified as Boulanger's own invention rather than a drawing after another master.

[4] He later took up a mode of engraving similar to that of his contemporary Jean Morin, but which he greatly improved, of finishing the flesh and naked parts of his figures with dots, instead of strokes, or with a mixture of both.

Notwithstanding this defect, his prints have considerable merit, and are justly held in esteem.