Jean-Baptiste Isabey

Jean-Baptiste Isabey (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ batist izabɛ]; 11 April 1767 – 18 April 1855) was a French artist during both the First Empire and the Restoration.

Isabey was born in Nancy, France on 11 April 1767. At the age of 19, following some lessons from Francois Dumont, the miniature painter to Marie Antoinette, Isabey became a pupil of Jacques-Louis David.

Isabey was hired by the Palace of Versailles to paint portraits of the dukes of Angoulême and Berry. He was commissioned by the queen, the first of several commissions he was awarded by successive French rulers until his death in 1855.

Patronized by Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte, he arranged the ceremonies of their coronation and prepared drawings for the publication intended as its official commemoration. He was paid for this work by Louis XVIII after the Restoration, and he also painted a portrait of Louis XVIII (engraved by Philibert-Louis Debucourt), which was completed in 1814. Although Isabey did homage to Napoleon on his return from Elba, he continued to enjoy the favour of the Restoration, and took part in arrangements for the coronation of Charles X.