Jean-Sylvain Bailly (1736-1793), maire de Paris

David's portrait of Jean-Sylvain Bailly of 1790, depicting the astronomer and first mayor of Paris elected after the Revolution, captures one of the emblematic figures of the Revolution's first year — the scientist-politician who tried to combine Enlightenment rationalism with Republican governance. Bailly's tenure as mayor ended in failure and he was later guillotined; David's portrait preserves the moment of his optimistic assumption of civic authority before the Revolution's violence consumed its own founding figures.

The portrait at the Musee Carnavalet captures Bailly's scholarly bearing through an upright posture and attentive expression. David's restrained palette of blacks, grays, and muted flesh tones creates an image of intellectual gravity appropriate to a man of science turned public servant.