Portrait of Pierre Simon Benjamin Duvivier (1730-1819), engraver, making a medallion
Dated 1799
Watercolour on ivory
Signed and dated ‘Dumont / f. l’an 8.’ And inscribed on the reverse ‘P.S.B. Duvivier peint par Franc. Dumont en 1799’
Rectangular, 84 x 84 mm (3 ¹/₄ x 3 ¹/₄ inches)
SOLD
“Ferdinando Quaglia was one of the most important miniature painters of the early nineteenth century…”
Pierre Simon Benjamin Duvivier came from a large family of engravers from Liege, now Belgium and was widely known for his engravings of medals commemorating the lives of Kings Louis XV and Louis XVI. Having moved to Paris, Duvivier soon gained popularity In 1762 he was appointed official engraver to Louis XV and, on the ascension of Louis XVI, in 1774 he became Engraver-General of the Paris Mint. Dumont suitably portrays Duvivier holding in one hand a wax impression taken from a steel mould (also depicted in front him in the composition) and in the other, a graving tool.
François Dumont was one of the greatest miniature painters working in France during the reigns of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII. Following the death of his parents, Dumont had to provide for his five brothers and sisters. After four years working and studying in Rome, he returned to Paris and in 1788 was accepted as an Academician and granted an apartment in the Louvre.
For the greater part of his life, he lived and worked in Paris, often alongside his brother Tony Dumont who was also a miniature painter. Both brothers signed with their surname only and there often are unfortunate issues with attribution. However, we know this work to be of François’ hand due to its registration in the artist’s fee book during the year VIII of the French Revolutionary calendar. It could be presumed that Dumont encountered Duvivier in Louis XVI’s court and held a relationship following the King’s execution in 1793.
François Dumont was one of the greatest miniature painters working in France during the reigns of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII. Following the death of his parents, Dumont had to provide for his five brothers and sisters. After four years working and studying in Rome, he returned to Paris and in 1788 was accepted as an Academician and granted an apartment in the Louvre.
For the greater part of his life, he lived and worked in Paris, often alongside his brother Tony Dumont who was also a miniature painter. Both brothers signed with their surname only and there often are unfortunate issues with attribution. However, we know this work to be of François’ hand due to its registration in the artist’s fee book during the year VIII of the French Revolutionary calendar. It could be presumed that Dumont encountered Duvivier in Louis XVI’s court and held a relationship following the King’s execution in 1793.
With Hans E. Backer, from whom acquired by Ernst Holzscheiter in London, 15 April 1951 (inv. nos. MD/0514 and 188);
Christie’s, London, Treasured Portraits from the Collection of Ernst Holzscheiter, 4th July 2018, lot 6.
Christie’s, London, Treasured Portraits from the Collection of Ernst Holzscheiter, 4th July 2018, lot 6.
Listed in the artist’s fee book for the year VIII of the French Revolutionary calendar, p. 29 as ‘Le C.[itoyen] Duvivier Graveur de medailles Payé’;
B. Hofstetter, Le miniaturiste François Dumont (1751-1831). Catalogue raisonné. Thèse de doctorate n histoire de l’art, Paris, 1994, I, p. 52, II, pp. 471, 494;
N. Lemoine-Bouchard, Les peintres en miniature actifs en France 1650-1850, Paris 2008, p. 214 ;
B. Hofstetter, Portraitminiaturen. Hundert Bildnisse aus der Sammlung JRKV, Posdam, 2018, p. 178.
B. Hofstetter, Le miniaturiste François Dumont (1751-1831). Catalogue raisonné. Thèse de doctorate n histoire de l’art, Paris, 1994, I, p. 52, II, pp. 471, 494;
N. Lemoine-Bouchard, Les peintres en miniature actifs en France 1650-1850, Paris 2008, p. 214 ;
B. Hofstetter, Portraitminiaturen. Hundert Bildnisse aus der Sammlung JRKV, Posdam, 2018, p. 178.
Paris, Salon, 1800, no. 135 (part);
Geneva, Musée d’art et d’histoire, Chefs-d’œuvre de la miniature et de la gouache, 1956, no. 136;
Zurich, Haus am Rechberg, 1957-58;
Zurich, Haus am Rechberg, 1961.
Geneva, Musée d’art et d’histoire, Chefs-d’œuvre de la miniature et de la gouache, 1956, no. 136;
Zurich, Haus am Rechberg, 1957-58;
Zurich, Haus am Rechberg, 1961.
shipping notice
Worldwide shipping is included in all prices.
The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.
Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer .
you may also like
