FRENCH SCHOOL (17th century)
Portrait miniature of a Marshal of France, probably Marshal Louis Francis, Duc d’Boufflers (1644-1711) wearing armour with gilded decoration, long, curled wig, entrenchments in the background
Probably circa 1693/4
6.7 cm (2 ⁵/₈ inches)
Watercolour and body on vellum
Silver and gilt-metal frame, the reverse enamelled with a still-life of fruit in a bowl surrounded by flowers, including tulips, carnations and honeysuckle
SOLD
Our sitter first entered the battlefield at the age of nineteen, at the Siege of Marsal. From then on, he continued to flourish with his military career, becoming a Lieutenant General in 1681. Given the probable dating of this portrait, it can be suggested that it was meant to commemorate d’Boufflers’ success at the siege of Namur, in 1692. As a part of the Nine Years’ War, this battle had been part of an attempt to defeat the forces of the Grand Alliance. The fact that the area had recently been heavily defended by batteries and trenches provides a possible link to this miniature, given that entrenchments have intentionally been added to the background of the portrait. A map of the siege (fig. 2) further supports this suggestion, showing where these entrenchments may have been, in the lower centre, near to where d’Boufflers was positioned.
Apart from the fantastic detail on the armour of the sitter, the present work also has an incredible amount of decoration on the reverse of the frame. This has been done in brightly coloured enamel, and contains images of numerous different flowers, and a central still-life, showing a bowl with lemons and grapes. All of these features point to the fact that this portrait was meant to be a celebration of the grandeur and success of the sitter’s life.
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shipping TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Worldwide shipping is included in all prices.
The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.
See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations.
Please contact us to discuss shipping options.
Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will
require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be
the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer.
See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations.
Please contact us to discuss shipping options.
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