Henri Reboul (1763-1839): from the founding of the Louvre Museum to the formation of a private collection

Abstract

In the late 18^th century Henri Reboul (1763-1839) distinguished himself by some relevant actions in the field of arts and cultural heritage. As a deputy of the Legislative Assembly in post-Revolutionary Paris, he contested vandalism and worked for the creation of the Commission du mobilier, which played a main role for the establishment of the Louvre Museum. Then he took part in the art requisitions at the time of the Napoleonic Conquest of Italian Peninsula as a finance officer of the Roman Republic (1798-1799) while nevertheless paying a particular attention to the conservation of the works of art. The collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and manuscripts that he formed in Italy is undoubtedly remarkable.