As one of the biggest and most sophisticated auction houses, Christies has had its fair share of auctions dealing with the remains of Versailles. One particular such took place on 16 April 2012 during which several pieces of art of the French royal family was sold.
A descriptive volume
A different sort of remnant of the court was this book from 1740. It is a detailed account of the wedding and subsequent celebrations held in honour of Madame Louise Élisabeth's wedding to Don Felipe of Parma. Madame Louise Élisabeth was the eldest daughter of Louis XV - and the only one to marry. Such volumes were nothing new; during the reign of Louis XIV, publications would detail any larger royal festivities - particularly after the court moved out of Paris.
A different sort of remnant of the court was this book from 1740. It is a detailed account of the wedding and subsequent celebrations held in honour of Madame Louise Élisabeth's wedding to Don Felipe of Parma. Madame Louise Élisabeth was the eldest daughter of Louis XV - and the only one to marry. Such volumes were nothing new; during the reign of Louis XIV, publications would detail any larger royal festivities - particularly after the court moved out of Paris.
Presumed to be Madame Adélaide
This portrait - which fetched 21.250 euros - is presumed to be of Madame Adélaide, the fourth daughter of Louis XV. It is the work of Louis Dupont. If you think the style is very similar to court favourite Nattier, then you are correct. Dupont was a protégé of the archbishop of Bayeux (a member of the Luynes-family) who paid for him to study under Nattier.
This portrait - which fetched 21.250 euros - is presumed to be of Madame Adélaide, the fourth daughter of Louis XV. It is the work of Louis Dupont. If you think the style is very similar to court favourite Nattier, then you are correct. Dupont was a protégé of the archbishop of Bayeux (a member of the Luynes-family) who paid for him to study under Nattier.
Travelling trunks
Travel trunk in red leather with the coat-of-arms of Marie Thérèse of Savoy, Comtesse d'Artois. When the court travelled from residence to residence, the royal family often transported their personal belongings in trunks such as these.
Travel trunk in red leather with the coat-of-arms of Marie Thérèse of Savoy, Comtesse d'Artois. When the court travelled from residence to residence, the royal family often transported their personal belongings in trunks such as these.
A similar item is the travelling trunk below which belonged to one of Mesdames, the daughters of Louis XV. It is hazarded that this particularly trunk was used to store items of clothing in - possibly for Madame Adélaide.
Madame Élisabeth and the Dauphin
Madame Élisabeth, sister of Louis XVI, is portrayed in a park next to her nephew, the Dauphin. The watercolour sketch is by Antoine-Louis-François Sergent-Marceau who completed it in 1786; in a rather disturbing turn of events, four years later he would join the revolutionaries and later still, partake in the September Massacres of 1793. Just eight years after he painted this sketch both of the sitters were dead - the young dauphin of illness in 1789 and Madame Élisabeth by guillotine in 1794.
Madame Élisabeth, sister of Louis XVI, is portrayed in a park next to her nephew, the Dauphin. The watercolour sketch is by Antoine-Louis-François Sergent-Marceau who completed it in 1786; in a rather disturbing turn of events, four years later he would join the revolutionaries and later still, partake in the September Massacres of 1793. Just eight years after he painted this sketch both of the sitters were dead - the young dauphin of illness in 1789 and Madame Élisabeth by guillotine in 1794.
The young Comte de Provence
Presumed to be a portrait of the Comte de Provence as a child, this portrait was painted by an unnamed member of Louis Tocque's entourage. The orders and the blue sash worn by the young boy clearly denotes his royal status.
Presumed to be a portrait of the Comte de Provence as a child, this portrait was painted by an unnamed member of Louis Tocque's entourage. The orders and the blue sash worn by the young boy clearly denotes his royal status.
The king's case
This case in red leather has two interlaced L's underneath a crown - it is therefore likely that they belonged to Louis XV himself. It looks remarkably much like the travel trunks and might have been used for storing smaller bowls when the king was on the move - which was very frequently. Within the case are two smaller compartments; the key also bears the French coat-of-arms.
This case in red leather has two interlaced L's underneath a crown - it is therefore likely that they belonged to Louis XV himself. It looks remarkably much like the travel trunks and might have been used for storing smaller bowls when the king was on the move - which was very frequently. Within the case are two smaller compartments; the key also bears the French coat-of-arms.
An ill-fated child
Another presumed portrait, this one shows the young Duc de Bourgogne. As the eldest son of Louis Ferdinand and Marie Josèphe de Saxe, he was to have inherited the title of dauphin after his father. Unfortunately, he died at the age of just 10 years - this portrait is presumably painted when he was seven years old by Louis Dupont. Upon his - and his father's - premature death, the throne went to his younger brother: Louis XVI.
Another presumed portrait, this one shows the young Duc de Bourgogne. As the eldest son of Louis Ferdinand and Marie Josèphe de Saxe, he was to have inherited the title of dauphin after his father. Unfortunately, he died at the age of just 10 years - this portrait is presumably painted when he was seven years old by Louis Dupont. Upon his - and his father's - premature death, the throne went to his younger brother: Louis XVI.
Courtly nécessaire
This toilet nécessaire is marked with the arms of the Marquis and Marquise de Guesnon. It contains ten glass bottles and several small pots of Sèvres porcelain. The styling of the box is very in tune with the passion for Far Eastern influences. It is estimated to have been made between 1774-80 which places it in the beginning of the reign of Louis XVI. We know from the Almanach de la Cour that Jean Blaise Guesnon died in 1784 and had previously been employed in the king's household.
This toilet nécessaire is marked with the arms of the Marquis and Marquise de Guesnon. It contains ten glass bottles and several small pots of Sèvres porcelain. The styling of the box is very in tune with the passion for Far Eastern influences. It is estimated to have been made between 1774-80 which places it in the beginning of the reign of Louis XVI. We know from the Almanach de la Cour that Jean Blaise Guesnon died in 1784 and had previously been employed in the king's household.
Portrait of a favourite
The Princesse de Lamballe is depicted by Marie-Victoire Lemoine in this portrait from 1779. At this point, Madame de Lamballe was recognised as part of Marie Antoinette inner circle; despite her young age, the Princesse was a widow and extremely wealthy. At court, she held the impressive position of Surintendante of the Queen's household - the highest position available to a woman at court.
The Princesse de Lamballe is depicted by Marie-Victoire Lemoine in this portrait from 1779. At this point, Madame de Lamballe was recognised as part of Marie Antoinette inner circle; despite her young age, the Princesse was a widow and extremely wealthy. At court, she held the impressive position of Surintendante of the Queen's household - the highest position available to a woman at court.
Madame Élisabeth's chair
Fetching a staggering 109.000 euros, this single chair was commissioned by Madame Élisabeth for her apartment at Compiègne. It was delivered to her at an unknown date but duly stamped with its provenance.
Fetching a staggering 109.000 euros, this single chair was commissioned by Madame Élisabeth for her apartment at Compiègne. It was delivered to her at an unknown date but duly stamped with its provenance.
The queen seated
A little known portrait of Marie Antoinette, seated on a sofa, was sold for 18.750 euros. It is attributed to Louis-Charles Gauthier d'Agoty. The sellers (the Comte and Comtesse Niel) claims that Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun painted it by memory in 1796 - three years after the queen's execution. It was later given to the Duchesse d'Angoulême - better known as Madame Royale, Marie Antoinette's daughter.
And a loyal friend
This incredibly smug-looking dog is said to be no other than the famous Mimi, favourite companion of Madame de Pompadour. It is said to be by Fragonard who made it in 1754 for the Marquis de Marigny, brother of the royal favourite. It would seem that the beloved pet has been given its very own pearl for its pink ribbon.
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