EDLINCK, GERARD, a famous engraver, born at Antwerp, where he was instructed in drawing and engraving. He settled at Paris, in the reign of Louis XIV. who made him his engraver in ordinary. Edelinck was also counsellor in the Royal Academy of Painting. His works are particularly esteemed for the neatness of the engraving, their brilliant cast, and the prodigious ease apparent in the execution; and to this facility is owing the great number of plates we have of his; among which are excellent portraits of a great number of illustrious men of his time. Among the most admired of his prints, the following may be specified as holding the chief place.

1. A battle between four horsemen, with three figures lying slain upon the ground, from Leonardo da Vinci.

2. A holy family, with Elizabeth, St John, and two angels, from the famous picture of Raphael in the king of France's collection. The first impressions are before the arms of M. Colbert were added at the bottom of the plate; the second are with the arms; and in the third the arms are taken out, but the place where they had been inserted is very perceptible. 3. Mary Magdalen bewailing her sins, and trampling upon the riches of the world, from Le Brun. The first impressions are without the narrow border which surrounds the print. 4. Alexander entering into the tent of Darius, a large print on two plates, from Le Brun. This engraving belongs to the three battles, and triumphal entry of Alexander into Babylon, by Girard Audran, and completes the set. The first impressions have the name of Guyton the printer at the bottom. 5. Alexander entering into the tent of Darius (finished by P. Drevet), from Peter Mignard. Edelinck died in 1707, in an advanced age, at the Hotel Royal at the Gobelins, where he had an apartment. He had a brother named John, who was a skilful engraver, but died young.