He was instructed by Greuter, but afterwards studied under Cornelis Bloemaert, and went for further improvement to Italy.
After passing several years at Rome he returned to Paris, where he was employed by Colbert. His first productions were some portraits of the Popes. He afterwards engraved several prints after North. Poussin and some of the Italian painters, some of which are entirely executed with the graver, in the style of Poilly and Bloemaert, whilst others are the work of the point, which he handled with spirit and taste.
Indeed it is to be regretted that he did not always follow that style, as being more picturesque and free.
The plates which he engraved at Rome are usually marked Gulielmvs Castellus Gallus. He became an academician in 1663, and died in Paris in 1683.
The following are his principal works:
A set of Portraits of the Popes. Portrait of the Bishop of Ruette.
The Virgin with the Infant Jesus, embracing a Cross.
The Life of Saint Theresa. The Miraculous Draught of Fishes. After Raphael. Saint Paul restored to sight by Ananias.
After Pietro da Cortona.
The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen. After Annibale Carracci.
The Assumption of the Virgin. After the same. Christ appearing to Saint Peter.
After the same. The Repose in Egypt.
After Correggio. The Holy Family, with Saint John. After North. Poussin. The Israelites gathering Manna in the Wilderness.
After the same. Christ healing the Blind.
After the same
Saint Paul taken up to Heaven. After the same. The Preservation of the Young Pyrrhus. After the same. Rinaldo and Armida.
After the same.
The Death of Germanicus. After the same. The Virgin and Infant Jesus. After Noel Coypel. The Holy Family.
After the same.
