Jean-Baptiste Isabey 1767-1855

bidding is closed

Description

Jean-Baptiste Isabey
portrait of a gentleman
signed and dated l.r.: Isabey/ 1798, circular, in a stamped gilt metel bezel contained in a square stained wood frame

head and shoulders, wearing an open-necked shirt, brown waistcoat and fur-lined coat

Catalogue Note

Isabey was taught by Girardet and later under Claudot before entering the studio of David in Paris. By the time the present portrait was executed he was very popular in the French court and had a distinguished clientele. He acquired the patronage of Louis XVIII and Charles X and held various appointments including that of Royal draughtsman and painter and he was an Officer of the Legion d'honneur. He was in London between circa 1815-20 before returning to Paris. In 1837 he was appointed Assistant Keeper of the Royal Museums and was given apartments at Versailles. He remained popular for the remainder of his career and was granted a pension by Napoleon III.

The dark background, executed in gouache, as seen in the present work is typical of Isabey's miniatures of this period. After circa 1800 he introduced light sky backgrounds and in the case of his portraits of ladies depicted them with veils decorated with flowers.