[Portrait by Jules Boilly]

Paris, J. [L.] Boilly, 1822. Engraved broadsheet (36.3 x 27.3 cm). = A rarely-seen portrait of the French polymath (chiefly physicist, astronomer, and mathematician) Pierre-Simon, Marquis de Laplace). His works were ".important to the development of engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, and philosophy. He summarized and extended the work of his predecessors in his five-volume Mécanique céleste (Celestial Mechanics). This work translated the geometric study of classical mechanics to one based on calculus, opening up a broader range of problems. In statistics, the Bayesian interpretation of probability was developed mainly by Laplace. Laplace formulated Laplace's equation, and pioneered the Laplace transform which appears in many branches of mathematical physics, a field that he took a leading role in forming. The Laplacian differential operator, widely used in mathematics, is also named after him. He restated and developed the nebular hypothesis of the origin of the Solar System and was one of the first scientists to suggest an idea similar to that of a black hole. Laplace is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. Sometimes referred to as the French Newton or Newton of France, he has been described as possessing a phenomenal natural mathematical faculty superior to that of almost all of his contemporaries" (Wikipedia). The artist, Julien-Léopold Boilly (1796-1874) was noted for his album of lithographs, Iconographie de l'Institut royal de France ou collection des portraits des Membres composant les quatre académies depuis 1814 jusqu'en 1825 (1820-1825). His portraits are much less stiff and formal than many by his contemporaries. Signed by the artist in the lower margin of the portrait and dated 1822. The caption states the date of La Place's birth and the years in which he was elected as a member of the Académie and the Institut. Uncut. With in the lower right corner a small, oval blindstamp, "Galerie Vivienne Bénard". Scattered, very mild foxing; a few weak marginal creases; otherwise very good.