Portrait of Félix Ravaisson

Théodore Chassériau French

Not on view

Jean-Gaspard-Félix Larcher Ravaisson-Mollien (1813–1900) was a noted philosopher and archaeologist. The year Chassériau drew him, Ravaisson was awarded a prize by the French Academy for an essay on Aristotle’s metaphysics. Chassériau’s fondness for Ravaisson is expressed in a letter he wrote to the sitter’s brother Fréderic from Algeria. The painter asked Fréderic to pass on “a thousand fond thoughts to M. Ravaisson. In him, I have found the heart of a friend.” Chassériau’s penciled inscription on the drawing further testifies to that affection.

Portrait of Félix Ravaisson, Théodore Chassériau (French, Le Limon, Saint-Domingue, West Indies 1819–1856 Paris), Graphite on white wove paper darkened to buff

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Portrait of Félix Ravaisson, Théodore Chassériau (French, Le Limon, Saint-Domingue, West Indies 1819–1856 Paris), Graphite on white wove paper darkened to buff
Portrait of Félix Ravaisson, Théodore Chassériau (French, Le Limon, Saint-Domingue, West Indies 1819–1856 Paris), Graphite on white wove paper darkened to buff

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.