Portrait of Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709–1751), 1770
Georg Friedrich Schmidtexpand_more
Sanguine and conté crayonexpand_more
Gift of David M. Danielsexpand_more 74.95.2
Not on Viewexpand_more
A native of Berlin, Schmidt came to Paris to study printmaking with Nicolas Larmessin and became a member of the Royal Academy in 1742. He returned to Berlin in 1744 to serve as engraver to the King of Prussia and in 1757, established a school for printmakers at Saint Petersberg. The subject of Schmidt’s portrait, Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709–1751) was a brilliant yet controversial physician. After publishing The Man-Machine in 1746, a scathing satire on the medical profession, Mettrie was forced to flee from France. In 1748, he was invited to reside at Berlin by Frederick II of Prussia who became an intimate friend. Mettrie, a resolute gourmand expired in 1751 of indigestion after dining on venison paté and truffles. The drawing was probably executed between 1748 and 1751. After 1760, Schmidt himself engraved the portrait which is signed: G.F. Schmidt depicted him (Mettrie) from life. The format is typical of European portrait drawings and prints with a simulated stone frame, a quill-pen, ink pot and books.
Details
- Title
- Portrait of Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709–1751)
- Artist Life
- 1712 - 1775
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 74.95.2
- Provenance
- Eugène Rodrigues, Paris, Lugt 897 (until d. 1928, his sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, November 28-29, 1928, no. 210, for Fr 3,100). David Daniels, New York (until 1974; given to Mia)
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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