Jacques II Laudin (1663–1729) – Saint Joseph With The Child – Limoges Enamel, 17th–18th Century

Jacques II Laudin (1663–1729) – Saint Joseph with the Child – Limoges enamel, 17th–18th century

Jacques II Laudin (1663–1729), attributed to
Limoges, late 17th–early 18th century

A remarkable plaque in polychrome painted enamel on copper depicting Saint Joseph holding the Infant Jesus, a work of great finesse attributed to Jacques II Laudin, a member of the famous Limoges family of enamel artists.

The composition depicts Saint Joseph tenderly holding the Infant Jesus in his arms. The gentleness of the expressions, the delicacy of the skin tones, and the remarkable rendering of the drapery attest to a high level of mastery in the art of painted enamel.

The scene is set within an oval medallion on a black background, surrounded by a rich decoration of white scrollwork and foliage, delicately accented with gold. The deep shades of blue, the orange hues, and the subtle golden highlights lend the piece a particularly refined character.

Jacques II Laudin, enamel artist from Limoges

Jacques II Laudin (1663–1729) belonged to one of the most prominent families of Limousin enamel artists of the 17th and 18th centuries.

As the heir to a prestigious family tradition, he carried on the art of enamel painting on copper, which was particularly prized for its religious depictions, the finesse of its compositions, and the richness of its ornamentation.

His works are notably characterized by their dark backgrounds, deep colors, delicate gold highlights, and decorative frames.

Signature and Museum Reference

The reverse of the plaque bears a handwritten inscription in gold:

“Laudin in the Faubourgs de Manigne in Limoges. I. L.”

This signature corresponds to the one appearing on the reverse of a plaque depicting The Visitation, attributed to Jacques II Laudin and held in the collections of the Louvre Museum under reference MR 2551, Inv. 124.

This remarkable correspondence provides a particularly interesting point of comparison for attributing our enamel work to Jacques II Laudin.

Reference: Louvre Museum, Department of Decorative Arts, The Visitation, Jacques II Laudin, 18th century.

Condition and Dimensions

The visible surface appears to be in very good condition, with fresh colors and golden highlights. Parts concealed by the frame have not been examined.

Dimensions of the plaque: 17 × 11.5 cm.