Realization: Roslin, Alexandre Alexander Roslin (Malmö, July 15, 1718 - Paris (75), July 5, 1793 (17 Messidor An 1)) (Painter)
Portrait of Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton (1716-1799)
Portrait of Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton (1716-1799)
Realization : 1791
Estate: Painting
Technique(s): Canvas (oil painting)
Dimensions : H. 801.5 cm ; W. 65 cm
Inventory no.: PE.2523
Photo credit(s) :
Camus, Christophe
Cartel
Appearing to be about to test the fineness of the wool in his left hand under a microscope, the eminent French naturalist Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton (1716-1800) was one of the last models of the Swedish portrait painter Alexander Roslin. Born in Malmö, the painter settled permanently in Paris in 1752 and, under the protection of François Boucher, premier peintre du Roi, was able to establish himself among the French aristocratic clientele. Accepted into the Académie Royale in 1753, his talent as a portraitist was widely recognized, and he modelled for the great personalities of his time.
The dignity of his character, the depth of his gaze and the sobriety of his costume bear witness to the character of the model who devoted his life to zoology, geology and mineralogy. Appointed demonstrator at the Jardin des Plantes in 1748, he was a close collaborator of Georges Buffon (1707-1788), with whom he wrote the volumes of L'Histoire de quadrupèdes, an essential part of the monumental Histoire naturelle. A member of the Académie royale des sciences in 1760, he was appointed first curator of the Muséum d'histoire naturelle in 1792. The illusionist treatment of the microscope's copper and the desk's rich marquetry of scales and gilded brass catch the light, drawing attention to the model's activity, which refers to his important work on the production of good-quality wool. Roslin was able to convey the truth of the scientist's aging body, enlivening the portrait by juxtaposing colors - the gold of the microscope and the lilac of the habit - thus living up to his nickname of "embroiderer" for his skill in transcribing the appearance of fabrics.
Provenance
Salon of 1791 (no. 23).
Salon par ordre de l'Assemblée nationale, September 1791 (no. 718).
By descent from Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton to Ferdinand Charles Nicolas Vaussin.
Gift of Madame Ernest Petit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Olréans, 1933.
School
Sweden
Location
Museum of Fine Arts
1st floor
Room: The years of the Revolution