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Jean-Baptiste Isabey Most Popular Paintings

The 20 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 20 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Jean-Baptiste Isabey · 1767 – 1855

The Museum Stairway

1817 · The Louvre, Paris · original 86 x 66 cm

Jean Baptiste Isabey’s "The Museum Stairway" (1817) captures a serene Parisian social scene within the opulent halls of Reims’ Musée des Beaux-Arts, showcasing neoclassical portraiture and watercolor mastery – discover this exquisite hand-painted reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$31366 × 86 cm Commission at original size

Presumed portrait of Josephine, empress of the French

Palazzo Madama, Turin

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Louis Bonaparte in uniform of Colonel of the 5th regiment of dragoons

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Emperor Napoleon

Palazzo Madama, Turin · original 10 x 14 cm

See Jean-Baptiste Isabey's striking portrait of Emperor Napoleon in military regalia; own a piece of Napoleonic history today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of a man

Palazzo Madama, Turin

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

The Empress Josephine

1808 · Wallace Collection, London · original 135 x 95 cm

A delicate watercolor portrait of Empress Josephine captures the ethereal elegance of the Napoleonic era through Jean Baptiste Isabey's masterful technique, inviting you to bring this piece of French history into your home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$52195 × 135 cm Commission at original size

Miniaturist, with his Daughter

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Miniature of Napoleon

1811 · Skokloster Castle, Skokloster

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Tsar Alexander I of Russia

Palazzo Madama, Turin · original 4 x 6 cm

See Tsar Alexander I of Russia depicted by Jean-Baptiste Isabey; explore this regal portrait capturing historical power from the early 19th century and bring its elegance home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Madame Jean Baptiste Isabey (Jeanne Laurice de Salienne, died 1829)

1800

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Prince August of Prussia

1814 · Wallace Collection, London · original 115 x 100 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$483100 × 115 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Woman

1795

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Untitled (D2XA2A)

1810 · original 5 x 3 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs. Rufus Prime (Augusta Temple Palmer, 1807–1840)

1828

Admire Jean-Baptiste Isabey’s 1828 miniature portrait of Augusta Temple Palmer – a neoclassical beauty in pink silk & feathers. A timeless piece of art history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

A Miniature of Napoleon

1811 · Skokloster Castle, Skokloster

Examine this exquisite 1811 miniature portrait of Napoleon by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, capturing historical grandeur in delicate detail; discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

The Reader

1790

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Napoléon I (1769–1821)

original 7 x 5 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

e Isabey.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Napoléon I (1769–1821)

1810

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17531 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Elisa Bonaparte

1810

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 33 artworks by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Jean-Baptiste Isabey

1767 – 1855

Quick facts

Art periodEarly Modern
Lifespan88 years
Color intensitymonochromatic, balanced
Best occasionsfocal
Typical colorsneutrals, earthy
Top 3 worksThe Museum Stairway, Presumed portrait of Josephine, empress of the French, Louis Bonaparte in uniform of Colonel of the 5th regiment of dragoons
NationalityFrance
Copyright statusPublic domain

Biography

A Master of the Imperial Image

Jean-Baptiste Isabey stands as one of the most versatile and influential figures in French art, a painter whose brush captured the very essence of two transformative eras: the First Empire and the Restoration. Born in Nancy, France, his artistic journey began under the guidance of masters like Francois Dumont, the miniature painter to Marie Antoinette, before he eventually became a pupil of the legendary Jacques-Louis David. This lineage placed him at the heart of the Neoclassical movement, yet Isabey possessed a unique ability to transcend rigid academic boundaries, blending the precision of his training with a burgeoning Romantic sensibility.

His career was inextricably linked to the corridors of power. As a gifted portraitist and printmaker, he earned the patronage of the most significant figures of his age. From the Palace of Versailles, where he painted the dukes of Angoulême and Berry, to the intimate circles of Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte, Isabey acted as a visual chronicler of French history. He was not merely an observer but an active participant in the creation of imperial myth, arranging ceremonies for coronations and preparing the drawings that would officially commemorate the grandeur of the Napoleonic era.

Technique and the Art of the Miniature

While his large-scale compositions commanded attention, Isabey achieved unparalleled renown through his mastery of the miniature. His ability to render minute details with profound emotional depth allowed him to create works that felt both intimate and monumental. Whether working on a tiny head for a breast-pin or a sweeping portrait of an Emperor, his technique balanced grandeur with meticulous precision. This skill is particularly evident in his rendering of textures—the heavy drape of a military cape, the gleam of gold, and the intricate details of regalia—which served to crystallize history on canvas.

Beyond portraiture, Isabey explored various mediums, including lithography and watercolor, demonstrating a restless creative spirit. His work often captured a sense of Napoleonic grandeur, yet it was never hollow propaganda; rather, it was an exploration of character and presence. In works such as his depictions of Napoleon, one encounters more than just a likeness; one encounters an assertion of power and a carefully constructed image designed to capture the formidable aura of a historical titan.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The enduring significance of Jean-Baptiste Isabey lies in his ability to navigate the turbulent political shifts of 19th-century France. He maintained his relevance through the transition from the First Empire to the Bourbon Restoration, even finding favor with Louis XVIII and later participating in the arrangements for the coronation of Charles X. His versatility earned him prestigious honors, including a pension from Napoleon III and the cross of commander of the Legion of Honor.

Isabey's influence extended through his family and his studio, leaving behind a legacy that touched upon many facets of French art:

Artistic Lineage: He mentored and influenced subsequent generations, including his son, Eugène Louis Gabriel Isabey, who became a notable Romantic painter.
Documentary Value: His portraits serve as vital visual documents of the Napoleonic and Restoration eras, capturing the fashion, military pride, and social hierarchy of the time.
Technical Innovation: His mastery of both the miniature and lithography helped bridge the gap between traditional fine art and the emerging print media of the 19th century.

Through his eyes, we see a France caught between the echoes of revolution and the weight of imperial ambition, rendered with a grace and precision that remains captivating to this day.

Questions & Answers

Can I browse Jean-Baptiste Isabey's works by mood?

The Mood Room of Jean-Baptiste Isabey is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.

Where are Jean-Baptiste Isabey's artworks mapped by subject?

Jean-Baptiste Isabey's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

Can I study Jean-Baptiste Isabey's use of color across all works?

The Palette Genome of Jean-Baptiste Isabey is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Jean-Baptiste Isabey born?
Which famous painter was Isabey a pupil of?
Isabey was patronized by which historical figures?
Which of these works is considered one of Isabey's most important compositions?
What honor was granted to him by Napoleon III?

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