AUDRAN, John, the third son of Germain Audran, was born at Lyons in 1667, and, after having received instructions from his father, went to Paris to perfect himself in the art of engraving under his uncle Gerard Audran. At the age of twenty years the genius of this great artist began to display itself in a surprising manner; and his subsequent success was such, that in 1707 he obtained the title of engraver to the king, and had a pension allowed him by his majesty, with apartments in the Gobelins; and the following year he was made a member of the Royal Academy. He was eighty years of age before he quitted the graver, and nearly ninety when he died at the apartments assigned him by the king. He left three sons behind, one of whom was also an engraver, as we shall see below. The best and most masterly prints of this artist are those which appear not so pleasing to the eye at first sight. In these the etching constitutes a great part; and he has finished them in a bold rough style.