FRENCH SCHOOL of the first half of the 19th century Presumed profile portrait of the actor Jean-Bernard Brisebarre dit Joanny (1775-1849) Gilt bronze bas-relief in a green patinated and gilt bronze and sheet metal frame H. 56,5 x W. 56,5 cm Jean-Bernard Brisebarre known as "Joanny" entered the Comédie Française in 1807. A close friend and confidant of Talma's for twenty years, his career was not really launched until 1819 when he obtained a resounding success in the role of Procida in Les Vêpres siciliennes by Casimir Delavigne. He is one of the actors, along with Rachel, who supported the young generation of authors of romantic drama. In this period of renewal of artistic forms linked to the Romantic movement, this category of personalities in the performing arts had access, as had previously been the case for members of the aristocracy, to the art of portraiture, a means of freezing their image and popularity for eternity. This bronze profile portrait, exceptional in its size and quality of execution, is part of the fashion launched in the 1820s by the great sculptor and leader of the Romantic school, David d'Angers, and soon taken up by a whole generation of artists.