Mathurin Jacques Brisson (1723-1806)

François Nicolas Martinet engraved illustrations for two of the most influential ornithologists of the 18th century, Jacques Brisson and George Leclerc, le comte de Buffon, had radically differing views, but both men sought to lay a foundation for a scientific approach to ornithology. As a prolific and foremost bird artist of his day, Martinet lived through tumultuous times in French history in his role as court artist and engraver.