Antoine Laurent Lavoisier (1743–1794) and Marie Anne Lavoisier (Marie Anne Pierrette Paulze, 1758–1836)

Marie Anne kept records of her husband’s experiments and illustrated his publications. David presents the couple with scientific instruments, although technical examination revealed an earlier design without them. The portrait was withheld from the Salon of 1789 amid revolutionary tensions.

Marie Anne stands in a pale gown with an arm over her husband. Her prominent position accords with her actual participation in his scientific work.

Antoine Laurent looks up towards his wife. The turn joins two likenesses into an image of shared life and work.

Red fabric covers the laboratory table. This broad colour field unites the instruments and separates them from the seated scientist’s clothes.

A tall glass instrument with a metal top stands on the table. Scientific equipment entered the design during its revision.

A round glass flask rests on the floor. Its transparent surface reveals how highlights and reflections describe glass.

A fluted column rises behind the couple. Classical architecture gives the large double portrait a formal character.

Lavoisier worked as a chemist and collected taxes for the state. His position tied him to the old regime. After the Revolution began, the portrait was excluded from the Salon for fear of public anger. In 1794 he was executed alongside other tax farmers.