(1720 - 1778)
Charles Joseph Dominique Eisen was born in Valenciennes, France; the son of Flemish artist François Eisen. He was taught by his father, before entering the studio of French engraver Jacques Philippe Le Bas in Paris. Eisen later became Drawing Master to Madame de Pompadour and rose to be Court Painter. He was a member of the Accademia di San Luca, Rome, and the Academy of Fine Arts, Rouen. He made illustrations for numerous publications and the entry for him in A. Graves’ ‘Dictionary of Painters and Engravers’ states: ‘Almost all the more important books published in France in his time contain his exquisite plates.’ In 1777 Eisen left Paris, possibly having displeased Pompadour, and moved to Belgium with his wife. He died there, aged 57.
