JEAN-BAPTISTE ISABEY (1767-1855)

Signed autograph letter

Jean Baptiste ISABEY (1767-1855)

Versailles, 9 August, 1849.

4 pages. 21 x 16 cm

With its envelope (stamp  and wax seal).

Autograph letter signed to his friend and pupil Henriette RATH (1773-1856), Versailles August 9, 1849.

Beautiful letter beginning with " La fin de la vie artistique se fait sentir". He does not complain of having reached the age of 82 but evokes with her the difficulties of old age when working «Ma main ne tremble pas encore mes yeux à la vérité ne me permettent plus de terminer comme au beau temps.» He still finds pleasure in painting.

Isabey is happy with the consideration with which he is surrounded, with the title of honorary curator of the Museum of  "du beau logement" which has been reserved for him at the castle in Versailles where he is considered"comme un patriarche d'antant plus que personne n'ignore que j'y étais du temps du Roi Louis XVI". [Isabey had the title of Honorary Curator of the Imperial Palaces].

Thus, the career of a famous painter and perfect courtier returns to its starting point.

He is happy when people say of him "comme il est encore jeune cet Isabey"  or "would you believe he is 82 years old!" and may heaven protect him  "le choléra n'a atteint personne de ma famille pas même un ami".

Price: 850 €

PROVENANCE:

- Hôtel Drouot sale of June 10, 1974, n°69

- Collection of Isabey's descendants.