Bust of Minerva

ca. 1798

Not on view

This study of a bust of Minerva set into a niche is related to Reunion of Artists, Boilly’s famous group portrait of contemporary artists, sculptors, and architects gathered in the studio of Jean-Baptiste Isabey (French, 1767–1855). The bust was part of a stylish up-to-the-minute décor designed by Charles Percier (French, 1764–1838) and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine (French, 1762–1853), the leading architects of the period. Indeed, Jean-Baptiste Isabey’s studio was featured in no fewer than five plates from their influential publication Recueil de décorations intérieures (1812) and embodied an up-to-the-moment style that was integral to the painting’s articulation of the artist’s place in society. In the finished work, Percier and Fontaine stand together, admiring a drawing just below the oversize statue.

Artwork Details

Title: Bust of Minerva
Artist: Louis Léopold Boilly (French, La Bassée 1761–1845 Paris)
Date: ca. 1798
Medium: Conté crayon, stumping, heightened with white chalk on faded blue paper
Dimensions: sheet: 11 1/2 x 8 7/16 in. (29.2 x 21.5 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Louis de Bayser, 2009
Object Number: 2009.477
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Louis Léopold Boilly

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Study of Three Heads, Louis Léopold Boilly French, Black and white chalk, with stumping — Study of Three Heads
Louis Léopold Boilly
ca. 1823

The Card Players, Louis Léopold Boilly French, Lithograph — The Card Players
Louis Léopold Boilly
Delpech
1822

The Wedding Present, Louis Léopold Boilly French, Etching with stippling and engraving — The Wedding Present
Louis Léopold Boilly
ca. 1815

Hired Hands, Louis Léopold Boilly French, Lithograph — Hired Hands
Louis Léopold Boilly
Delpech
1822

The Comb Punch, Louis Léopold Boilly French, Lithograph; printed in blue, brown, black, green, yellow, and blue inks — The Comb Punch
Louis Léopold Boilly
Delpech
1822

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.