Little is known about this painter of Italian origin, active mainly
from the late 18th century to the very beginning of the 19th century.
In this painting he represents Maximin Isnard reading his essay
"On the immortality of the soul" published in Paris in the year
X (1802), year of the Concordat reestablishing the catholic church
in France.
The scene takes place in the family home in Grasse, 33 place aux
Aires, where the lovely trompe -l'œil decoration remained until
1950.
Born and died in Grasse, Maximin Isnard (1755-1825) was a member
of the Legislative Assembly, the Convention, the Conseil des cinq
cents, baron of the Empire and a fervent monarchist, even though
he had voted in favor of Louis XVI's death before.
Though often accused of political wavering, he remains nonetheless
an important figure in the French Revolution.