Personalities Basan, Pierre-François

He was born in the family of wine merchant Claude-Pierre Basan. He learned from the engraver Etienne Fessar, his mother's cousin, and Jean Daullé. From 1747 he worked as an engraver for the publisher of prints Michel Odieuvre, for whom he engraved many portraits. In 1750–1754 he took part in engraved editions: “Recueil d'estampes gravées d'après les tableaux de la galerie et du cabinet de S. E. Mr. le comte de Bruhl” (Dresden, 1754) (Collection of engravings from paintings in the gallery and cabinet of His Excellency Mr. count de Brühl),“Recueil d'estampes d'après les plus celebres tableaux de la Galerie Royale de Dresde” (1753-1757) (Collection of engravings from the most famous paintings of the Royal Dresden Gallery), “Histoire naturelle” (Natural History of J.-L. Buffon, from 1749). From 1754 he devoted himself exclusively to the publication and trade of engravings, creating the largest commercial firm. From 1761 to 1779 he published six volumes entitled L'Oeuvre de Basan, in which he collected about 650 engravings reproducing the works of great Dutch, Flemish, French, Italian and German masters. In his work on reproducing engravings, he relied more on the younger generation of engravers than on long-recognized masters. In 1773, Basan's partner was his son-in-law, Etienne Léon Poignant. The Basan-Poignant company existed until 1788. At the end of 1789, Basan retired, and his two sons continued the business under the name "Basan frères" (until 1808).
Author of the dictionary of engravers "Dictionnaire des graveurs anciens et modernes" (1767), which was repeatedly republished until the beginning of the XIX century.
Despite the fact that many engravings are signed by his name, not all of them belong to his hand. At best, he finished the boards with a chisel, already largely prepared by an etching engraver. Works in which Basan acts as an engraver are signed: Basan sculpsit, and as an editor: Basan exudit.The real participation he took in one case or another is not very noticeable.