DISCOVERART

Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

Jean-Baptiste Belley

c. 1797
Black chalk, with stumping, and traces of pen and black ink, heightened with touches of opaque white, on ivory wove paper
36.9 × 30.3 cm (14.5 × 11.9 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Sold into slavery as a boy, Jean-Baptiste Belley (1746–1805) bought his freedom in 1764. Belley fought in the American War of Independence and served as a captain in the French army during the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) fighting to abolish slavery on the island of Saint-Domingue (now Hispaniola). In 1793 he was elected to the National Convention in Paris, becoming its first black deputy. Belley wears the uniform of a representative to the Convention. As we know from the painting for which this is a highly finished study or copy drawing, his hat feathers and sash are the colors of the French Republic: blue, white, and red. He leans against a marble plinth supporting a bust of the French philosopher and enemy of slavery Guillaume Raynal (1713–1796).

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

Portrait of the Katchef Dahouth, Christian MamelukePortrait of the Katchef Dahouth, Christian MamelukeSketch for The Revolt of CairoSketch for The Revolt of CairoBust of Male Nude (recto); Portrait Sketch of Man with Sketches of Women (verso)Bust of Male Nude (recto); Portrait Sketch of Man with SketcPortrait of Coupin de la CouperiePortrait of Coupin de la CouperiePortrait of Coupin de la CouperiePortrait of Coupin de la CouperiePhaedre, Having Declared Her Passion, Attempts to Kill Herself with the Sword of HippolytusPhaedre, Having Declared Her Passion, Attempts to Kill HerseHermione Rejecting OrestesHermione Rejecting OrestesFingal Mourning Over the Body of Malvina, from Ossian's BerrathonFingal Mourning Over the Body of Malvina, from Ossian's Berr

More like this

Portrait of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count von RumfordJean-Baptiste-François Bosio — Portrait of Sir Benjamin ThomSilhouette Portrait of John MarshallWilliam Henry Brown|John Marshall|E. B. & E. C. Kellogg — SiA young man, standing; full length silhouette, profile to rightW. H. Beaumont — A young man, standing; full length silhouetSeated Figure and Sketch of Sash Tied Around TorsoJohn Downman — Seated Figure and Sketch of Sash Tied Around The Captive SlaveEdward Finden — The Captive SlavePortrait of Edmond BurkeAntoine Louis François Sergent Marceau|The Right Honorable EMonsieur de St. GeorgeWilliam Ward|Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges|MathPortrait of Count Vittorio AlfieriJean-Baptiste-François Bosio — Portrait of Count Vittorio AlMr. Sébast ...., plate 281 from Célébrités de la CaricatureHonoré-Victorin Daumier — Mr. Sébast ...., plate 281 from CéThe Hero of the ChaseRichard Dighton (British, 1795–1880) — The Hero of the ChasePortrait of Giovanni Fantoni (or "Labindo")Jean-Baptiste-François Bosio — Portrait of Giovanni Fantoni Portrait of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-PerigordAuguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers — Portrait of Charle