Bonhams 1793 : French School, circa 1780 Louis XVI (1754–1793), King of France and of Navarre (1774-1791), King of the French (1791-1792), wearing red coat with gold lace, gold waistcoat, white cravat and stock, his powdered wig worn en queue and tied with a black ribbon bow

Louis XVI (1754–1793), King of France and of Navarre (1774-1791), King of the French (1791-1792), wearing red coat with gold lace, gold waistcoat, white cravat and stock, his powdered wig worn en queue and tied with a black ribbon bow.
Watercolour on card, gilt-metal frame with beaded border, the shell reverse engraved L XVI/ 1759 - 1793 with crown above.
Oval, 32mm (1 1/4in) high

Sold for £437 inc. premium

Footnotes

Although Louis XVI was beloved at first, his indecisiveness and conservatism led to him being regarded as a symbol of the perceived tyranny of the Ancien Régime. Louis was officially arrested on the 13th August 1792, and sent to the Temple. On the 21st September, the National Assembly declared France to be a Republic and abolished the Monarchy. Louis was stripped of all of his titles and honours, and from this date on was simply known as, 'Citroyen Louis Capet' after Hugh Capet, the founder of the Capetian dynasty.

On the 21st January 1793, Louis delivered a short and dignified speech upon the scaffold at Place de la Révolution before being cut short by a drum roll. His beheading by guillotine swiftly followed. He is the only King of France ever to have been executed.

Category: Fine Art / Portrait Miniatures

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