Le château de Kerjean - Drawing. Public domain image.

Louis-Francois Cassas was a French artist, architect and archaeologist, best known for his drawings and engravings of ancient ruins and landscapes. Born in Azay-le-Ferron, France, in 1756, Cassas studied at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris before travelling to Italy and Greece to study classical architecture and sculpture. In 1784, Cassas was appointed the official artist and architect for the French expedition to Egypt under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. During his time in Egypt, Cassas produced a series of drawings and engravings of the ancient ruins and landscapes he encountered, which were later published in his book 'Voyage pittoresque de la Syrie, de la Phoenicie, de la Palestine, et de la Basse-Egypte' (Picturesque Journey through Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine and Lower Egypt). After returning to France in 1799, Cassas continued to produce works inspired by his travels, including a series of etchings of French landscapes and architectural monuments. He was also a professor of architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Cassas died in Paris in 1827, leaving a legacy as one of the most important artists and architects of his time. His works continue to be admired for their technical skill and artistic beauty, as well as for their contributions to the study of ancient civilisations.