Claude Audran the Elder, the brother (or, as some say, the cousin) of Charles

Charles Audran

Charles Audran was the first of the Audran family who became eminent in the art of engraving. He was born in Paris in 1594. In his boyhood he showed a great disposition for the art ; he received some instruction in drawing, and when still young went to Rome to perfect himself: there he produced...

, was born in Paris in 1597. After receiving some instruction from Charles, he removed to Lyons

Lyon

Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....

, where he died in 1677. Whether he visited Rome or not is uncertain. His engraving

Engraving

Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...

s, which are signed either Claude Audran, or CI. Audran, are executed
after the manner of Cornelis Cort

Cornelis Cort

Cornelis Cort was a Dutch engraver and draughtsman. He spent the last 12 years of his life in Italy, where he was known as Cornelio Fiammingo.-Biography:...

 and F. Villamena

Francesco Villamena

Francesco Villamena was an Italian engraver and artist.Villamena was born in Assisi. He studied under Cornelis Cort. Villamena produced primarily works of religious and historical subjects. He died in Rome in 1624.-References:...

. They are chiefly portraits and allegories. He left three sons, Germain

Germain Audran

Germain Audran, who was born at Lyons in 1631, was instructed by his uncle Charles in the art of engraving in Paris. He died at Lyons in 1710. His merit was considerable, although very inferior to that of some others of his family. Germain had four sons, Claude III, Benoit I, Jean, and Louis...

, Claude the younger

Claude Audran the Younger

Claude Audran the Younger the second son of Claude I, was born at Lyons in 1639. He studied drawing with his uncle Charles in Paris, and subsequently went to Rome. On his return he was engaged by Le Brun at Paris, and assisted him in his pictures of the 'Passage of the Granicus,' the 'Battle of...

, and Gérard

Gérard Audran

Gérard Audran , was a French engraver of the Audran family, the third son of Claude Audran....

.