Jacques Joseph de Gault

Jacques Joseph de Gault was an artist active in the late eighteenth century, with documented production spanning the period 1775 to 1795. His works primarily fall within the category of metalwork and luxury decorative arts, reflecting the sophisticated taste prevalent in Europe before the turn of the century.

De Gault’s documented artistic output includes five objects represented in museum collections, confirming his specialized skill in crafting intricate pieces. Four of these are listed as metalworks, with notable examples held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These include the detailed Snuffbox with six allegories of love and the Snuffbox with miniatures representing the Diversions of Love and dancing figure. Two additional works are listed simply as Souvenir.

Beyond the specialization in high-quality decorative objects, the artist’s known works also encompass portraiture, evidenced by the work depicting Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte (1778–1851), Daughter of Louis XVI. This portrait confirms his capability in varied media, making Jacques Joseph de Gault paintings and decorative arts an area of interest for historical study. Today, the limited output of Jacques Joseph de Gault prints and metalwork represented in institutions provides valuable insight into luxury objects of the period.