Description

Paris, J. [L.] Boilly, 1822. Engraved broadsheet (36.3 x 27.3 cm). = A rarely-seen portrait of the French physicist and mathematician Claude-Louis Mathieu (1783-1875). He ".began his career as an engineer. He worked with the Bureau des Longitudes and tried to determine the distance of the stars. Awarded the Lalande Prize twice, in 1808 and 1815". (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. The caption states the date of Mathieu's birth and the year (1817) in which he was elected as a member of the Institut. Uncut. With in the lower right corner a small, oval blindstamp, "Galerie Vivienne Bénard". Damp stain in the upper left corner, well outside the printed area; scattered foxing; a few weak marginal creases and a short tear in the right margin; otherwise very good.