Emmanuel de la Celle, Chevalier de Châteaubourg

Born on 18 October 1762 in Rennes, Dominique Emmanuel Malo de la Celle, Chevalier de Châteaubourg was the younger brother of Charles Joseph de la Celle (1758-1837), who was thought so far to be the artist of all works signed “de Châteaubourg” but who lived in France. In 1773, Emmanuel was appointed a court page and entered military service five years later. In 1791 he emigrated to England. Between 1794 and 1797 he worked as a miniature painter in various towns in Germany, settling in 1797 in Berlin. In 1800 he moved to Saint Petersburg. His wife Françoise-Catherine-Eugénie Bichier des Roches died in this year on her way to Russia. Among their three children Edouard, Pauline and Laura, the son also became an artist. Emmanuel died in Saint Petersburg in 1806.