Boulogne, Joseph. [St. George, Chevalier de.](1745 - 1799). Mezzotint Portrait. Very rare original lifetime portrait of the important composer, conductor, and violinist in the Paris musical scene in the second half of the 18th century. Prior to the revolution in France, he was also famous as a swordsman and equestrian. Known as the "black Mozart" he was one of the earliest musicians of the European classical type known to have African ancestry.



Mezzotint on laid paper. April 4, 1788. William Ward (British, London 1766–1826 London) after Mather Brown (American, Boston, Massachusetts 1761–1831 London, England), published by Thomas Bradshaw (London). Plate: 14 7/8 x 10 7/8 in. (37.8 x 27.6 cm) sheet: 16 1/2 x 12 5/16 in. (41.9 x 31.2 cm). In fine condition. Not in the Harvard Theatre Collection of Engraved Portraits.



Inscription in plate below image: "Monsieur de St. George/ From an Original Picture at Mr. H. Angelo's Academy"; and verses in French: "Dans les armes jamais on ne vit son egal./ Musicien charmant, compositeur habile,/ à la nage, au patin, à la chasse, à cheval,/ tout exercise enfin pour lui semble facile,/ et dans tous, il découvre un mode original./ Si joindre a ses talens autant de modestie/ Est le nec plus ultra de l'Hercule Français;/ C'est que son bon esprit exempt de jalousie,/ N'a trouvé le bonheur en cette courte vie/ que dans les vrais amis que son coeur s'etoit faits." [He had no equal in arms. A charming musician and clever composer, adept at swimming, skating, hunting and riding to whom all exercise seems easy and where he demonstrates originality. Since he adds modesty to his many talents, we can dub him the ultimate French Hercules whose spirit, untainted by jealousy, find happiness in this short life in true friendship.]