Charles Nicolas Cochin ( 1715 - 1790)

Was a French engraver, designer, writer, and art critic. He studied engraving under his father. Beyond his artistic education, Cochin taught himself Latin, English, and Italian, and he read the work of the philosopher John Locke in English. Cochin rose to national prominence early in his career. As a member of the academy (admitted in 1751) and the keeper of the king’s drawings (a post he was given in 1752), he was officially enabled to exert his influence on the artistic taste of his day.