Guillaume Chasteau

Who was Guillaume Chasteau?

Guillaume Chasteau, a French engraver, was born at Orléans in 1635. He was instructed by Greuter, but afterwards studied under Cornelis Bloemaert, and went for further improvement to Italy. After passing several years at Rome he returned to Paris, where he was employed by Colbert. His first productions were some portraits of the Popes. He afterwards engraved several prints after N. Poussin and some of the Italian painters, some of which are entirely executed with the graver, in the style of Poilly and Bloemaert, whilst others are the work of the point, which he handled with spirit and taste. Indeed it is to be regretted that he did not always follow that style, as being more picturesque and free. The plates which he engraved at Rome are usually marked Gulielmvs Castellus Gallus. He became an academician in 1663, and died in Paris in 1683. The following are his principal works:

⁕A set of Portraits of the Popes.

⁕Portrait of Jean Baptists Colbert; oval.

⁕Portrait of the Bishop of Ruette.

⁕The Virgin with the Infant Jesus, embracing a Cross.

⁕The Life of St. Theresa.

⁕The Miraculous Draught of Fishes; after Raphael.

⁕The Baptism of Christ; after Albani.

⁕St. Paul restored to sight by Ananias; after Pietro da Cortona.