Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon (1747-1825), French painter, archaeologist and traveller

Sitter in 2 portraits
Artist associated with 3 portraits
Vivant, who had a brilliant career as artist and diplomat under the ancien régime, rubbed shoulders with the likes of Diderot, Voltaire, and Robespiere, and followed Napoleon on his campaign in Egypt. In 1804 he became director-general of museums and was instrumental in bringing foreign masterpieces into the Louvre. His accounts of his travels and his treatise on ancient monuments contain collections of his engravings.