Joseph Parent (ca.1780-1837) "Portrait of a gentleman", miniature, 1820s

800x600 Normal 0 21 false false false DE-AT X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 PLEASE READ SHIPPING DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY BEFORE BUYING! To learn more about us please click on our profile ON DEMAND WE ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (money-back-guarantee) Not much was known until recently about the Parisian miniaturist "J. Parent" who exhibited at the Salon between 1815-1833. He painted numerous miniatures of Napoleon and his generals, working in the style of Isabey. He usually signed his works with "J. Parent" or "J.P.". Works of his belong to collections of the most important museums worldwide. In issue No. 47-48 of her "La Lettre de la miniature" (May-August 2018) the currently best French specialist in portrait miniatures Mme Nathalie Lemoine-Bouchard published a long article about this artist in which she mentions his full name - Joseph Parent - and his biographical dates (see our last additional images). Mme Lemoine-Bouchard found important material concerning this miniaturist in archives. We learn that he was born in ca. 1780 in Naples and died on July, 26th 1837 in Paris. On November 19th 1801, he entered the "Ecole de L'Academie" of Paris as "native of Naples, 21-years-old", living in rue de Savoye No. 10 ("House of Monsier Chave"). His Neapolitan descent is confirmed by two of his works, representing Mary Queen of Scotland and probably James Stuart, signed and dated "J. Parent de Naples / 1812" and "J. Parent de Naples / 1813" which we see on a box by goldsmith Montauban (this box was sold on July, 16th 2013 (Lot 248) by auctioneers "Dr. Croff" in Mannheim, Germany). His first teacher at the Parisian Academy should have been sculptor Louis Philippe Mouchy, who died on December 10th 1801 (three weeks after Parent began his studies). So Parent soon changed his wish to be a sculptor and began his activity as a portrait miniaturist. Not much is known about his first years in Paris. Probably he had to enter a military service and as a soldier (officer?) was present not only in France but also in Italy (expecially in his region of birth, Naples). The Museum of Versailles had his series of watercolours representing the Italian campaign including the Battles of Marengo and Lodi. During the period of the 1st Empire Joseph Parent also made miniature copies after portraits by Old Masters which were later mounted on snuffboxes by renewed goldsmiths. In 1814, the "Journal de Paris" said that "M.(onsieur) Parent, peintre en miniature, rue Neuve Saint-Augustin, No. 35" offers himself as a portrait miniaturist. In 1815, during the "Hundred Days" Parent executed numerous miniature portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte (see several lots in our possession). Some of these miniatures are copies after works of J.-B. Isabey and J.-B. J. Augustin. The emperor is shown wearing a uniform of "chasseur-a-cheval de la garde imperiale" and bearing a red sash of the Legion of Honor. His bust is shown from the front, the head more or less three quarters to the right. In 1816, he executed a portrait of Napoleon's rival Duke Wellington, in 1818 that of Cardinal Fesch, in 1827 a portrait of Marshal Viomesnil. Mme Lemoine-Bouchard found also in the National Archive a document confirming the date of the artist's death. From that document, we can learn that the artist was married relatively late, at the age of 55 (the marriage contract was signed on December 15th, 1835). Soon after, he had a son, Louise Joseph Gaspard Parent (born on August 5th, 1835). The remaining two years Parent lived with his wife and son in rue de L'Echelle, No. 3, before he moved to rue Moineaux, No. 17 where he died on July 26th, 1837. Visit our store here on eBay for other works by this artist. Provenance: French private collection Condition: good Creation Year: 1820s Measurements: UNFRAMED: 7.0cm x 5.8cm / 2.8in x 2.3in FRAMED: 12.7cm x 11.3cm / 5.0in x 4.4in Object Type: Framed miniature Style: Portrait Miniatures Technique: watercolor painting (oval) Inscription: signed: J.Parent Creator: Joseph Parent Creator Dates: ca. 1780 Naples-1837 Paris Nationality: Italian / French Themes: FRENCH MALE PORTRAIT BIEDERMEIER YOUNG MAN SHIPPING: Fully insured expedited service within 2-5 business days. Not depending on us (due to local customs, delays, etc.) delivery may take longer. When contacting the seller please refer to item #44784 luapr24