Portrait of Citoyen Boncourt 1781 - 1811

This engraving by Gilles Louis Chrétien, a prominent French artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, portrays Citoyen Boncourt, a "Commissaire de Guerres" or War Commissioner. The portrait, rendered in profile, is characteristic of the Neoclassical style prevalent during this period. The subject's simple attire and serious expression reflect the ideals of republicanism that were gaining momentum in France during the French Revolution. The inscription below the portrait includes the artist's name and the location of the print's creation, "Chez H. Honore à Paris." The work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, provides a glimpse into the individuals who helped shape the course of French history.