Jean Baptiste Claude Chatelain

Who is Jean Baptiste Claude Chatelain?

Jean Baptiste Claude Chatelain, an engraver, was born in Paris about 1710. One account given of his history states that his proper name was Philippe, and that he served as a French officer in the campaign in Flanders, but afterwards devoted himself to the pursuit of art. He was endowed with extraordinary capacity; and had his application been but equal to his genius, few would have surpassed him in the branch of art to which his natural disposition directed him. He had a peculiar talent for drawing landscapes, either from nature or his own fancy, with a readiness that was altogether surprising. Unfortunately, from his idle and dissolute course of life, he seldom exercised his abilities until compelled by necessity. The drawings, in chalk and with the pen, which he has left make us deeply regret that the irregularity of his life has limited these admirable productions to a much smaller number than his uncommon facility would otherwise have secured to us. Chatelain was much employed by Boydell, especially in engraving with Vivares the series of landscapes after Claude, Rembrandt, Guaspre, and others. Vivares being more appreciated by the public, his name was often placed on plates engraved by Chatelain alone, as in the case of a fine landscape after Pietro da Cortona, and another named 'The Storm,' in which Poussin has introduced the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. He engraved, also for Boydell, eleven views in London and in Italy. He died in London in 1771. The following list comprises his most important works: