Portrait of Rousseau.

Drawing, pen and ink with aquarelle, 56 x 44 cm, laid paper, signed at lower margin (several dark spots, occ. browning of ink).

Under contemp. gilt orn. frame (not studied outside frame, several losses of paint).

Portrait medallion of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), encircled by a laudatory text: "Son génie intrépide éclairant l'univers, des peuples asservis détruisit le délire. De l'humanité seule il reconnut l'empire, et força les tyrans à reprendre leurs fers". The portrait oval is decorated with calligraphic ornament. The portrait, which dates from shortly after the French Revolution ("Le 21 Germinal an 5"), is little-known in the literature on the French philosopher. It forms an ensemble with the next lot.