"Gilt Bronze Portrait Of Jean-baptiste Mercadier, Circa 1815"
A round relief gilt bronze portrait of Jean-Baptiste Mercadier, dated 1788. The bronze is unsigned, but was probably made around the time of his death around 1815, in celebration of his important work on hydraulics published in 1788 under the title "Research on the silting of seaports and on the means of preventing them in the future, particularly in the ports of Languedoc". After this publication, the States of Languedoc entrusted him with the mission of visiting the ports of the kingdom and abroad, and of taking instructions on dikes, drainage and other works. This bronze portrait does not appear to be known or referenced. Very fine original packaging of the deep gilt. Period or 19th century mount in a wooden frame with three labels on the back. The bronze measures 14 cm in diameter and the frame 19.8 cm in diameter.