Personalities Moncornet, Balthazar

Engraver, ornamentalist and publisher of prints. Son of the Flemish tapestry designer Pierre Moncornet, who in 1607 received French citizenship. Brother of artist Pierre Moncornet, father of Balthazar-Thomas Moncornet and engraver Jean Moncornet. In his youth he worked for a long time at the royal tapestry manufactory. In May 1643 he received the permission to engrave and print "many rare paintings." He engraved in a mixed technique of cutter and etching. He left more than 1000 engraved portraits. Almost all of them are made in an unconventionally small size. After his death, his widow, Marguerite Moncornet (? –1691), continued the business, which was later inherited by their son Jean Moncornet (1649–1716).