Sheet of Studies: Two Male Heads in Profile and Standing Man 1785 - 1855

Jean-Baptiste Isabey made this sheet of studies featuring two male heads and a standing man using pen and brown ink, with gray wash. The artist was working in France at a time of revolutionary change. The hierarchy of the French court is evident in these quick sketches. Isabey seems to be mocking the elaborate wigs and arrogant expressions of the aristocracy. This would have been a daring political statement. The French Revolution was in full swing when Isabey created these caricatures. He was born in 1767, so as a young artist he would have been aware of the shifting social landscape and class tensions that were brewing at this time. Was Isabey a supporter of the revolution, or was he simply documenting the changing times? By consulting historical documents, letters, and political pamphlets, we can gain a deeper understanding of Isabey's intentions and the social context in which he was working. This helps us see how art actively responds to and shapes the cultural and political conversations of its time.