Vauquelin, Nicolas Louis — [Portrait by Jules Boilly]

Paris, J. [L.] Boilly, 1820. Engraved broadsheet (36.3 x 27.3 cm). = A rarely-seen portrait of the French chemist and pharmacist Louis Nicolas Vauquelin FRS (1763-1829). He was the discoverer of two elements: chromium and beryllium. The artist, Julien-Léopold Boilly (1796-1874) was noted for his album of lithographs, Iconographie de l'Institut royal de France ou collection des portraits des Membres composant les quatre académies depuis 1814 jusqu'en 1825 (1820-1825). His portraits are much less stiff and formal than many by his contemporaries. Signed by the artist in the lower left margin of the portrait and dated 1820. The caption states the date of his birth and the year (1795) in which Vauquelin was elected as a member of the Institut. Uncut. With in the lower right corner a small, oval blindstamp, 'Galerie Vivienne Bénard'. Scattered mild foxing; a damp-stain in the top-left corner, some soling, denting, and marginal fraying, as well as a short tear in the top edge; otherwise good.