Hubert Gravelot

Happy Birthday Hubert Gravelot!! The French Illustrator was born in 1699. He studied under engraver Francois Boucher. Gravelot immigrated to London in 1732, and became an instructor at the St. Martin’s Lane Academy (the forerunner to the Royal Academy). It is reported that he used intricate mannequins for his models when creating the illustrations, designed in London, jointed even at the fingers! Gravelot introduced the Rococo style to London through his engravings and illustrations. He is credited for creating illustrations in the Rococo style for works written by William Shakespeare and novels such as Samuel Richardson’s Pamela, pictured below.