French engraving — Villain, Jean-Francois

Jean-Francois Villain (1790 - 1852). Actively worked 1818 - 1852.
Born in 1790 at Buir-aux-Bois in Pas-de-Calais, he was a weaver. He was married and had 2 children.
His work was multifaceted. In 1823, after returning from Italy, he printed 25 out of 30 lithographs by Jean-Baptiste Isabey. Between 1826 and 1829, two series of lithographs Gallery of the Contemporaries and Gallery of the Artists of Chabert. He printed scenes and private costumes, a satire on the morality of Charles Philipon, portraits of artists and private figures, theatrical and current events. Lithographer of HRH the Duchess of Berry since he printed from 1822 to 1824 a reproduction of over 100 paintings from the Gallery of the Duchess of Berry. He printed most of the lithographs by Nicolas - Toussin Charlee. In the past year 1843, he fell ill and handed over the management of his own business to his son Charles.