James Gabriel Huquier was a portrait-painter and engraver.
Background
He was the son of the roccoco engraver Gabriel Huquier and his wife Marie-Ann (Desvignes). Huquier was born in Paris in 1725. His father was an engraver in the style of Watteau and Boucher.
His father"s work based on the style of J. A. Meissonnier and Oppenord helped set styles in Louis XV"s reign with regard to furniture, silver, and other decorative ornament.
Career
One of Huquier"s subjects was Chevalier d"Eon, an early transvestite. James Huquier assisted his father in many of his engravings. He collaborated as an engraver and printseller with his father-in-law.
They created a shop that sold wallpapers and prints in 1764 and two years later they had a wallpaper factory.
The business appears to have struggled, however, and after making a number of excursions, Huquier left his family behind and moved to England. Huquier emigrated to England with his father.
He exhibited some pastels at the Royal Academy and was also represented at the Society of Artists. Huquier also completed a number of pastel portraits which sold well.
He had a self-portrait in the Royal Academy in 1771 and in 1785.
One of Huquier"s more remarkable subjects was Chevalier d"Eon, a French spy who served as an ambassador in London. Chevalier d"Eon was notably transvestite and an early transgender person. The Chevalier spent the end of her life living as a woman.
In 1783, Huquier lived in Cambridge but later retired to Shrewsbury.
As Huquier"s wife Anne Louise had already died, he may have thought to benefit when his father-in-law and collaborator died. Huquier died on 7 June 1805.