74,750 CHF
Attributed to Jean Baptiste Isabey, circa 1820. Exceptionally rare and very fine painted on ivory miniature of Abraham-Louis Breguet. Notes There are only five known miniatures of Breguet, of which at least one other is signed by Isabey. This one is in excellent condition. There are no scratches, and it appears that it has never been removed from the frame. Furthermore, the glass is almost certainly original. The hairlines come from differences in humidity and can be easily retouched.Jean Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).French portrait painter and miniaturist, he was first a pupil of Dumont, miniature painter to Marie Antoinette, and then of David. After painting the portraits of the dukes of Angoulême and Berry at Versailles, he was given a commission by the queen, thus beginning a long succession of portraits of the successive rulers of France. His portraits are full of grace and highly individualized. Isabey was much appreciated by Napoleon and Josephine, and arranged their coronation ceremonies and executeddrawings for the publication intended as its official commemoration. He received payment for this from Louis XVIII, whose portrait he also painted. Although Isabey paid homage to Napoleon on his return from Elba, he continued to enjoy the favor of the Restoration, taking part in arrangements for the coronation of Charles X. The July monarchy gave him a post in connection with the royal collections, and Napoleon III granted him a pension and made him Commander of the Le
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-04-12
