Marie Gabriel, Comte De Choiseul-Gouffier Paintings

Marie-Gabriel-Florent-Auguste de Choiseul-Gouffier was a prominent French diplomat, geographer, and archaeologist known primarily for his role as an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and for his significant contributions to the study of ancient Greece.

Born on September 27, 1752, in Paris, France, Choiseul-Gouffier hailed from a noble family and was educated in the finest traditions of the French aristocracy. His early interests were in the fields of geography and antiquities, which would shape his future career and scholarly work.

In 1776, Choiseul-Gouffier embarked on his Grand Tour, a customary trip for European noblemen of the time to complete their education. He traveled to the Ottoman Empire, particularly the Greek territories, which were then under Ottoman control. During his travels, he developed a passion for Greek culture and history, collecting antiquities and making detailed observations of the geography, monuments, and customs of the region.

Choiseul-Gouffier's travels and studies culminated in the publication of his seminal work, 'Voyage pittoresque de la Grèce,' which was first published in 1782. This beautifully illustrated work offered a comprehensive account of the ancient and contemporary Greek world and played a significant role in igniting philhellenism in Europe, influencing perceptions of Greece and contributing to the rise of neoclassicism in art and architecture.

Thanks to the success of his work and his increasing renown as a scholar, Choiseul-Gouffier was appointed as the French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1784. His diplomatic role provided him with further opportunities to explore and document Greek antiquities. He became a member of the French Academy and was even elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in recognition of his scholarly achievements.

However, Choiseul-Gouffier's career as an ambassador was interrupted by the French Revolution. As an aristocrat, he was forced to flee France during the Reign of Terror, and he spent much of the revolutionary period in Russia, where he found refuge and continued his scholarly pursuits.

After the fall of Napoleon, Choiseul-Gouffier was able to return to France, where he was reinstated in his academic positions and resumed his work. He continued to publish on topics related to Greek antiquity and geography, further establishing his legacy as a scholar of the ancient world.

Marie-Gabriel-Florent-Auguste de Choiseul-Gouffier passed away on June 20, 1817. His contributions to the fields of geography, archaeology, and Hellenic studies have left an indelible mark on the historical understanding of Greece and have influenced subsequent generations of scholars and enthusiasts of Greek culture.