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Denis Duveen has reconstructed the background to this picture as follows: “When Lavoisier went with Guettard on the long horseback tour which was primarily intended to provide material for the projected mineralogical atlas of France, but which he also utilized to accumulate barometric and thermometric measurements from the various places through which they passed, the two scientists were accompanied by a servant, Joseph, from the Lavoisier household. After visiting Basle, the naturalists proceeded to Mulhouse, Thann and Gérarmer, where they climbed the highest peak of the Vosges mountains. During this part of the journey, they had taken a local artists [Mr Bidermann from Thann] along whom they had engaged to paint [eight] panoramic views of that region, and who remained with them until they descended the Vosges and reached Colmar. At least six of these panoramas have been preserved. The one exhibited is the only one to contain any human figures… The water color shows a small procession headed by a pedestrian wearing peasant clothes and a large Alsatian hat, evidently a local guide. Following this man in his lakeside walk, we see three horsemen who can be non other than Guettard, Lavoisier and the faithful Joseph. Some distance behind is a fourth mounted figure representing the artist himself, who is evidently making an attempt to catch up with the other – at a gallop. A supply of artist’s paper which he carries on his back proves that he is the painter who must have fallen behind while sketching and now tries to rejoin his companions.
Although this can hardly be classed as a portrait or as a real work of art, it is of special interest, as only one authentic portrait of Lavoisier, by Jacques Louis David, is known to exist.” |
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Cornell University Library - Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections 
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