By Imperial Decree: Royal Documents and Books from England, France, Russia and Austria
This impressive exhibition includes authentic, original and outstanding 17th 18th and 19th century books, documents, manuscripts and letters of or relating to Russian and European royalty.
The exhibit includes letters from Russian czars and czarinas, French, Spanish and English kings, including Philip IV and Philip V of Spain and George II and George III of England. There are also documents signed by Napoleon I, a letter from Josephine, and a signed document by Marie Louise, Napoleon’s second empress.
Royal books belonging to Marie Antoinette, Louis XIV, Louis, XV, Louis XVI and other royals are included. These books bear the coats of arms of their individual owners and at one time graced the libraries of the royal chateaux such as Versailles.
There is an important document signed by Marie Antoinette at Versailles in 1783 ordering the treasurer of the house to pay for the queen's dresses. This was an important time in the history of the queen's prestige, since her extravagant expenses on her wardrobe created a great scandal in France. Her expenditures on gowns, many by the famed designer Rose Bertin, led to her being villified by the lower classes throughout France.
An autograph note written and signed in the delicate hand of Marie Antoinette’s enemy, Madame la Comtesse du Barry, mistress of Louis XV, contrasts nicely with the queens order.
One impressive piece is an important document regarding the work to be done for public spaces in the restoration of the Chateau of Fontainebleau. This multiple page document includes detailed information about the restoration with notations throughout by King Louis-Phillipe.
We also have an authentic example, printed on silk, of Louis XVI’s speech to the opening of the Estates General at Versailles on May 5, 1789, with long, white glove worn by one of nobles in attendance. The opening of the Estates General heralded the beginning of the tragic events that would lead inevitably to the Reign of Terror and the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. A French painting depicting the storming of the Bastille on July 14 of that same year is also included in the exhibtion.
On a darker note, there is an important and rare French Revolutionary document signed by Garat, who also signed the execution order of Louis XVI in 1793. It is also signed by the Minister of War, Pache.
Some documents are framed in 18th and 19th century period frames. Others are independent of framing or boxing, so secure display with ultraviolet protection is required.
If you are interested in borrowing this exhibit, please contact us.