Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855) "Portrait of a gentleman", miniature, 1790s

Typical work (see for example our image nr.5) by the famous French miniaturist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. The authorship of Isabey has been confirmed by the worlds best expert for portrait miniatures during his visit to our gallery on June 12 2007.

Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767 Nancy - 1855 Paris) was the most famous of all European portrait miniature painters of the turn of the 19th century. In 1785, he went to Paris to study under David, but the great master had just left for Rome. At first in a tight financial situation, Isabey finally was ordered to paint miniatures of the children of King's brother, Count D'Artois. By means of this commission he came to court, met the Queen Marie-Antoinette and obtained an apartment in Versailles. In 1786 David returned from Rome, accepted Isabey as pupil without payment and favored him in every way. At the time of the Revolution the artist already acquired significant clientele in Paris. He portrayed most of the Convention members, became one of the intimates of Mme Bonaparte's house. Isabey was a drawing master of Hortense and Eugene de Beauharnais; he controlled the ceremony of Napoleon's coronation and organized festivities for the Empire.

In 1806 Isabey was appointed "Peintre dessinateur du cabinet de S.M. l'Empereur, des ceremonies et des relations exterieurs", and in the following year - "Premier peintre de la Chambre de l'Imperatrice". From 1809 Isabey had a studio in the porcelain factory in Sevres. When in 1810, Napoleon married Marie-Louise, Isabey became drawing master to the latter. In 1812, he went to Vienna to do the portraits of the Imperial Family. He returned there again in 1814 to paint the Congress of Vienna on the order of Talleyrand. He returned to Paris in 1815. With the beginning of Restoration he went to London. On his return in 1820 Louis XVIII appointed him miniature painter and "inspecteur dessinateur, ordonnateur des fetes et spectacles". Charles X gave him the title of royal draftsman and painter and appointed him officer of the Legion d'honneur in 1825. In 1837 Louis-Philippe appointed him Assistant Keeper of the Royal Museums and gave him an apartment at Versailles. He also had the favors of Napoleon III from whom he obtained a pension of Frs. 6000.

Condition: fairly good; set in original silver frame

Creation Year: 1790s

Measurements: UNFRAMED: 4.3cm x 2.7cm / 1.7in x 1.1in
FRAMED: 4.7cm x 3.1cm / 1.9in x 1.2in

Object Type: Framed miniature

Technique: Watercolor painting

Inscription: -


Keywords:
ISABEY, JEAN-BAPTISTE; HOFSTETTER; FRENCH; MALE PORTRAIT; DIRECTORY; FRENCH REVOLUTION

Fairly good; set in original silver frame.