FRENCH SCHOOL

Portrait miniature of an Officer, probably of the Garde Nationale, wearing dark blue coat with white facings, red collar and epaulettes, white cross belt and a bicorne hat with red plume

circa 1800
Watercolour on ivory (licence 3VGRESTR)
Oval, 70 mm (2 3/4 in) high
Gold frame with plaited hair reverse
 

SOLD

'The soldier pictured here, likely from the affluent bourgeois classes, would have commissioned his miniature while under Napoleon’s rule.'
The officer in the present portrait was possibly a member of the Garde Nationale, formed in Paris in July 1789 after the storming of the Bastille. Escalating urban unrest in Paris, fuelled by food shortages and fears of royal military intervention, intensified after King Louis XVI (1754-1793) dismissed the reformist finance minister Jacques Necker (1732-1804) on July 11, prompting spontaneous armed assemblies among the city's districts to protect the nascent revolutionary assemblies. Those who created the National Guard intended it to protect Paris from these counter-revolutionary attacks and internal stability. As the Revolution unfolded, however, the National Guard, which was dominated by affluent bourgeois interests, would come into conflict with the working classes of Paris more than any external threat.

Given that the ranks were led by the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), its core membership consisted of thousands of politically active, middle-class Parisian citizens and mutinous soldiers from the King's old Royal Guards Regiment. The soldier pictured here, likely from the affluent bourgeois classes, would have commissioned his miniature while under Napoleon’s rule. 

The portrait here reflects the new middle classes of France around the year 1800 - when artists captured their subjects with modern realism, and celebrated those who had held Paris safe during the turbulent Revolution, but who were far removed from nobility. 

We are grateful to Stephen Wood for his assistance in identifying this sitter's uniform. 
Private collection.

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The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.

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 .

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Portrait miniature of an Officer, probably of the Garde Nationale, wearing dark blue coat with white facings, red collar and epaulettes, white cross belt and a bicorne hat with red plume

FRENCH SCHOOL

Portrait miniature of an Officer, probably of the Garde Nationale, wearing dark blue coat with white facings, red collar and epaulettes, white cross belt and a bicorne hat with red plume

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shipping notice

The item added to cart contains materials from endangered or protected species. The Limner Company cannot arrange for the delivery of artworks containing ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl outside of the UK due to import restrictions. The buyer or designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale.

You are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of any items made from or containing certain endangered or protected species (such as ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl), while other countries will require a permit (e.g. a CITES licence). Such permits must be obtained from the relevant regulatory body in both the country of importation and exportation. If you intend to import such items into another country you should familiarise yourself with the relevant customs regulations and laws before purchase. Delays or refusal of import or export of such works shall not permit cancellation of a sale. It is your responsibility to satisfy any laws or regulations applying to the import or export of any work containing such protected species. For further information on the protected species listed please visit the CITES website:http://www.cites.org/. For further information about import and export regulations please visit:http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/. On request, the Company can assist with or apply for a license on your behalf.

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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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