Gérard Edelinck was an engraver and publisher of Flemish origin who worked in Paris beginning in 1666. He was admitted to the Academie Royale in 1677 and became a councilor of that body and First Draftsman to the Cabinet du Roi in 1694. Edelinck specialized in engraved portraits and sometimes made prints after other artists, such as this print, which takes after a painting by Louis Testelin. The figure, enclosed within a visual device that resembles a circular window, or trompe-l'œil oculus, depicts French magistrate Pierre de Carcavy. Carcavy was counsellor to the Parliament of Toulouse 1632–36 and then moved to Paris, where he served as counsellor in the Grand Conseil 1636–48, was employed by the Duke of Liancourt 1648–63, and became Custodian of the Royal Library 1663–83. Carcavy was also a member of the Académie des Sciences (1666) and was known for his correspondence with mathematicians of the day.