Biography

French draughtsman, engraver and painter. He moved to Paris at a young age, his first print, produced for a theological thesis presented at the Mathurins College indicating that he was in the capital from 1619 onwards. Anatole de Courde de Montaiglon catalogued 400 engravings by him, and about 100 of his drawings are known. He executed powerful portraits which were highly appreciated.

Mellan was also active as a painter; a number of lost paintings are recorded in his own engravings . Several paintings have been attributed to him since the 1970s, but none has support generally.