GENEVA, CIRCA 1820, THE ENAMEL SIGNED RICHARD & SOUTTER

Abraham Constantin (1785-1855) was born in Geneva, the son of Jacob and Elisabeth Rival. He studied at the Ecole de dessin de la Société des Arts under Constant Vaucher. He completed his apprenticehsip in the workshops of Henri L'Evêque, Jean-Martin Dufour, Richard, Léchaud and Jean-Jacques Soutter. He moved to Paris in 1807 under the patronage of the Baron Desnoyer and François Gérard and was introduced to the Empress Joséphine. From 1813 he worked as 'first painter' at the Sèvres Manufacture and was sent to Florence to make copies of the works of Raphael. In 1826 he was appointed as 'porcelain painter' to the King and opened a school in 1828, receiving that same year the Légion d'honneur. He moved to Rome from 1830 and 1844, having secured international recognition for his workmanship and the quality of his work.