Antique Miniature Portrait Napoleon's Son~The Eaglet~Gilt Ormolu Frame

Antiques : Accessories

 

A late 19th. Century oval miniature portrait of Napoleon's son, the Eaglet in a gilt ormolu frame. A mix of crisp military uniform and romantic blue eyes, the young prince makes a striking subject. He was but for a brief time the Second Emperor of the French and was christened, Napoleon François-Joseph Charles.

He was born in Paris to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Louis of Austria (Napoleon's second wife). His other titles include The King of Rome, and Duke of Reichstadt. He is often referred to as the Aiglon or the Eaglet. After Napoleon's downfall, his son was taken back to the court of his grandfather, Francis II, in Vienna. Although he hoped to return to France, he was to die of tuberculosis in July 1832 at the age of 21.

The artist that first comes to mind when viewing the portrait of the young Eaglet is Daffinger; the painter, Louis Leopold Boilly, also did an ink on paper portrait in the manner of Daffinger. I feel this miniature aligns more with Boilly's portrait.

The portrait most likely was created for the ever growing tourist trade in the Grand Tour tradition. A chocolate brown velvet adds another dimension to the portrait. The eyes are expressive and the curls carefully painted on celluloid. I did open the frame to view the portrait and I do feel it is celluloid.

Measurements; frame 6 1/4" X 5 1/4", actual portrait, 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" Condition: good antique condition. The gilt frame has a few bends, but these are mostly on the reverse side, the chocolate brown velvet is in good condition with some wear to the upper left corner. One out of the 8 small brass nails is missing.

Item ID: 2090046