French engraver. He was the son of a master coppersmith. He received his initial training as an engraver in Jean Le Pautre's studio, before going to the workshop of the Audran family. There he learnt the free traditions of French engraving, in which etching played a leading role, the burin being used only for finishing the plate. Tardieu intended to complete his education in Italy but instead took employment in Lyon with Germain Audran (1631-1710) and worked there for several years. He seems to have returned to Paris during the early years of the 18th century; there he engraved Christ and the Woman of Samaria after Nicolas Bertin, and Noli me tangere. He next engraved several plates after paintings by his protector, Antoine Coypel, for the Galerie du Palais-Royal. In 1712 he was approved (agréé) by the Académie Royale in Paris; in 1720 he was received (reçu) on the strength of his portrait of Louis-Antoine de Pardaillan de Gondrin, Duc d'Antin after Hyacinthe Rigaud. //