Charles Germain de Saint Aubin - Vlinders aan toilettafel

A cartouche or cartouch is an oval design with a slightly convex surface, typically edged with ornamental scrollwork. It is used to hold a painted or low relief design. In Early Modern design, since the early 16th century, the cartouche is a scrolling frame device, derived originally from Italian cartoccia. Such cartouches are characteristically stretched, pierced and scrolling (illustration, left). Another cartouche figures prominently in the title page of Giorgio Vasari's Lives, framing a minor vignette with a device of pierced and scrolling papery cartoccia.

Born in Paris into a family of artists, he was trained by his father, Jacques-Philippe de Saint-Aubin, a painter and engraver. Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was known for his skill as a draughtsman and his ability to capture the everyday life of Parisian society in his works. He began his career as an engraver, making illustrations for books and prints. He then turned to drawing and painting, creating scenes of everyday life in Paris, such as street vendors, musicians and dancers. His work was characterised by lively and fluid lines that captured the movement and energy of his subjects. Saint-Aubin was also known for his caricatures, which poked fun at the social and political issues of his day. His satirical drawings often featured well-known figures of the day, such as King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. In addition to his drawings and paintings, Saint-Aubin was also an accomplished etcher, producing prints that are highly sought after by collectors. His etchings were known for their delicate lines and intricate detail, which added depth and texture to his works. Despite his success as an artist, Saint-Aubin struggled financially throughout his life. He died in poverty in 1780, but his legacy lives on through his vibrant and expressive works, which continue to inspire and delight art lovers today.

French draughtsman and printmaker, master of etching and specialist in embroidery designs. His younger brothers, Gabriel-Jacques, Augustin and Louis-Michel de Saint-Aubin, were also famous artists. Charles-Germain is also known for writing a theoretical treatise, L'Art du Brodeur (The Art of the Embroiderer), published in 1770.