Painter. Born the son of a merchant, he first took painting lessons from two local artists. In 1796 he arrived in Paris with a letter of introduction to Dumont, the "premier peintre" to the Queen. He first worked on painting the lids for snuff boxes and colorful buttons. He took lessons from Jacques-Louis David and was introduced at court as his pupil leading to his first commission from Marie-Antoinette. Although he lost court commissions during the the French Revolution, he created 228 portraits of deputies on the Legislature Assembly. He met Bonaparte and his wife at various salons and was tasked with arranging the ceremonies of their coronation and prepared thirty two drawings intended as official remembrances. He amassed many titles and continued in favor both with the Bonapartes and the Crown. Beginning in 1809, he worked in the Sevres porcelain factory and provided the portraits for the top of the "Table des Marechaux." His appointment as drawing teacher to the empress Marie-Louise gave him job security and more importantly a monopoly on miniature portraits of Napoleon often used as diplomatic gifts. Isabey had an immense success at the Salon of 1820 with "Isabey's Boat", a drawing of himself and his family. "Review of Troops by the First Consul" is one of most prominent and "Napoleon at Malmaison" may be the best portrait of the emperor. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1825. Finding favor with Louis-Philippe, he was appointed the Deputy Curator of the Royal Museums in 1837 and he directed the artists' studio at the Sevres porcelain factory. When Napoleon returned to power, Isabel was now elderly and was given a pension. Although he is primarily remembered as a miniature portrait painter, he also composed caricatures of many European politicians.
Painter. Born the son of a merchant, he first took painting lessons from two local artists. In 1796 he arrived in Paris with a letter of introduction to Dumont, the "premier peintre" to the Queen. He first worked on painting the lids for snuff boxes and colorful buttons. He took lessons from Jacques-Louis David and was introduced at court as his pupil leading to his first commission from Marie-Antoinette. Although he lost court commissions during the the French Revolution, he created 228 portraits of deputies on the Legislature Assembly. He met Bonaparte and his wife at various salons and was tasked with arranging the ceremonies of their coronation and prepared thirty two drawings intended as official remembrances. He amassed many titles and continued in favor both with the Bonapartes and the Crown. Beginning in 1809, he worked in the Sevres porcelain factory and provided the portraits for the top of the "Table des Marechaux." His appointment as drawing teacher to the empress Marie-Louise gave him job security and more importantly a monopoly on miniature portraits of Napoleon often used as diplomatic gifts. Isabey had an immense success at the Salon of 1820 with "Isabey's Boat", a drawing of himself and his family. "Review of Troops by the First Consul" is one of most prominent and "Napoleon at Malmaison" may be the best portrait of the emperor. He was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1825. Finding favor with Louis-Philippe, he was appointed the Deputy Curator of the Royal Museums in 1837 and he directed the artists' studio at the Sevres porcelain factory. When Napoleon returned to power, Isabel was now elderly and was given a pension. Although he is primarily remembered as a miniature portrait painter, he also composed caricatures of many European politicians.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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